Contact Centre Professional (CCP), which trains unemployed adults how to handle telephone enquiries in call centres, has been awarded a grade 1 “outstanding” by the government’s Adult Learning Inspectorate.

The Newcastle-based firm was awarded the highest grade – achieved only by a handful of training organisations in the country – for its retailing, customer service and transportation programme.

All learners on CCP courses are expected to successfully complete an initial five-week programme during which they receive tuition in employability skills and job searching.

David Sherlock, chief inspector of adult learning, said: “We make an independent assessment and are really pleased to report that learners at Contact Centre Professional are benefiting from the organisation’s high quality approach.

“When people improve their skills and achieve their qualifications they benefit their organisation, their communities and themselves.”