STAFF working for a large stationery chain can sign up for extra skills thanks to a new agreement being signed with an education organisation.

Stationery Box has joined forces with Protocol Skills to deliver vocational training to staff in its network of 130 stores.

Protocol Skills will provide both Modern Apprenticeship and NVQ training to hundreds of staff working for the company.

Alan Gaynor, chief executive of the Stationery Box, said: "This deal will enable Stationery Box to raise its public perception as a deliverer of excellent customer service and as a quality employer for all its staff."

Protocol Skills sales development director Lee Acton said: "The combination of Stationery Box's own in-house training, together with our delivery of formal qualifications, will allow them to really drive their business."

The organisation works with hundreds of businesses, delivering a wide range of training. Clients include Vodafone, BSM, McDonalds and River Island.