A TYNESIDE man who left school with no qualifications has been praised for winning an NVQ.

Paul Lockyear, 23, from Howden, was more interested in fooling around with his friends at school than studying for GCSEs.

From the age of 16, he had a series of jobs before being offered the chance to earn work-based qualifications with Amari Plastics on the Team Valley with the help of Access Training.

Since joining the company he has become a worthy member of the workforce and has recently passed his first qualification, an NVQ level two in warehousing.

Mr Lockyear said: "I feel proud of myself for getting my NVQ. What I have learned has helped me in my job and I enjoyed doing it.

"I realise qualifications will help me in the future because most employers in my industry look for vocational qualifications when recruiting. So when Access offered to provide the qualification I jumped at the chance."

Access Training's Alan Nealy said: "Paul is a great lad and has worked hard to achieve the NVQ. He thoroughly deserves to be commended for his efforts to get back into learning. His NVQ will stand him in good stead for his present and future prospects."