Andrew Farley, the lecturer in poultry production at Easton College, said the group had achieved a success rate of 86 per cent against a national benchmark of about 65 per cent. This was well merited, he said, reflecting good teamwork by Cobb and assessment methods based on actual individual needs.

The Cobb Europe employees who received NVQ certificates, pictured with Andrew Farley [far left]

John Vincent, production director of Cobb Europe, presented the eight NVQ level 3 certificates and 17 level 2 awards to the group, whose ages ranged from 20 to 62.

He spoke about the growing importance the company placed on employees training for workplace qualifications in helping to develop their potential.

"We believe in encouraging people to progress within our company," he said. "The production side of the company is continuing to develop and grow, and there are opportunities across the business for our people to move forward in their careers."

As part of one of the world's largest poultry meat breeding companies, Cobb Europe produces and supplies grandparent stock to franchise distributors across Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Cobb Europe is based at Colchester, and has a hatchery in Norfolk and farms across East Anglia and the South East.