PD Ports’ employees have increased their skills and career prospects while helping to grow the award-winning port and logistics business after graduating with leadership qualifications.

The ‘Class of 2016’ was made up of 41 members of staff who all successfully completed levels two, three or five Chartered Management Institute (CMI) diplomas in Management and Leadership.

The bespoke programmes, involving talented workers aged between 25 and 55 from across the business, were designed and delivered by Stockton Riverside College (SRC) where the graduation ceremony was held.

Before presenting the high-achievers with their certificates, David Robinson, PD Ports’ CEO, said: "We aspire and we are determined to be not just a leading company in the Tees Valley but in the UK and, in particular, the North of England. The key to being a leading company is to have the best people, and at PD Ports we have the best people.

"What you have achieved is a fantastic piece of leadership because you are out there on the front line and you are also ambassadors of PD Ports. This is a significant investment that we believe will pay dividends for years to come."

Staff at different stages in their careers attended college every three weeks while juggling academic assignments with their jobs and family life.

A key component of the courses was linking learning back to the workplace, the students were encouraged to talk about their own experiences leading to strong interdepartmental relationships and a better understanding of other operations across the business.

Rachel Cawthorne, PD Ports’ Senior HR Officer, who received a CMI diploma level five, said she had found the course challenging but enjoyable and it had rekindled her love of learning.

"The course has given me a different perspective of showing me how to do my job and it has given me a better insight into different sides of the business as well as interacting with people from different departments to really understand how they operate."

Phil Cook, Principal at SRC told the ‘Class of 2016’: "From a college perspective we are delighted to have people in the room who share our values and we want to learn from you – you are clearly committed to learning because you have just evidenced that in a significant way.

"We are proud and humbled to have you in our lecture theatre in order for PD Ports to consolidate and build a business that’s absolutely critical to the area."