THE organisation overseeing bus and rail services in Huddersfield has been given an award for continual staff training and development.

Metro, the West Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive, has been presented with a Champion Award from Investors in People.

Metro is now one of only 36 organisations to hold Champion status, which recognises employers who boost productivity through the way they manage and develop the skills of their employees.

Champion organisations have to demonstrate consistent commitment to staff development as a way of delivering their goals.

Graeme Etheridge, director of finance and planning for Investors in People UK, said: “There are 35,000 companies accredited to Investors in People, but only 36 are champions and Metro should be applauded for that.

“I detect a real sense of pride around the organisation and Metro’s role as a Champion will be to inspire companies, in the public and private sectors, with that same sense of pride in their work, and the way in which they harness and make the most of their employees’ potential.”

Sheena Pickersgill, Metro’s director of corporate services, said: “We are very proud to receive Championship status.

“We now need to share our experience and commitment with other employers and demonstrate the success they can achieve by placing people at the heart of their business.”