A SKILLS project in the Port of Tilbury has been recognised with a national award.

The Thurrock Skills project was awarded the Learning for Work national project award in recognition of its achievements in turning out more than 100 skilled local workers with a 70 per cent success rate in getting jobs with the port.

Put together by Anglia Ruskin University’s Ixion Holdings, the Port of Tilbury, Thurrock Council and the Job Centre, its aim is to provide opportunities to people who would otherwise struggle to find work and has even led to the employment to an ex-offender at the port.

Funded by Ixion, candidates work towards a Certificate in Warehousing, English, maths and employability skills at the port’s Logistics Academy and are guaranteed an interview with its main employment agency which supplies a large percentage of the workforce.

Perry Glading, chief operating officer at the Port of Tilbury, said: “The success of the Thurrock Skills project has provided the port with an outstanding complement of well-trained staff and, in turn, has given other participants the opportunity to acquire experience which will improve their overall employability.”