TWO of the region's largest training providers have won recognition for excellence.

Access Training and ITEC North East, members of the newly-formed training consortium The Collective, along with Gateshead College have been awarded Centre of Vocational Excellence (CoVE) for business and management programmes.

The partnership won approval from the Learning and Skills Council to join a 12-month development scheme in recognition of its interim status as a Centre of Vocational Excellence (CoVE) for business and management programmes.

ITEC North-East managing director David Baker, said: "We are delighted to have been awarded interim CoVE status. It is an integral part of ITEC's, as part of The Collective's, aim to raise the profile and the significance of work-based learning.

"This recognition will also provide us with an excellent platform to offer the cutting- edge training and vocational skills needed by the local economy."

Gateshead College principal David Cheetham said: "The focus on boosting the region's training opportunities has never been greater.

"Our partnership with Access and ITEC gives us the opportunity to focus on our individual areas of expertise, to complement each other and share best practice, for the ultimate benefit of the learner."