Helmrig has received approval from City and Guilds to become a training centre, announces managing director Dave Gallagher.

The landscaping and tree services company now offers both level 2 and level 3 in leadership and management as an "ongoing development of our people," says Gallagher.

Part of its strategic plan, Helmrig hopes that by introducing this training, it can offer entrants the career path from trainee landscaper or arborist to director while remaining in-house with continuous support.

"Trade skills are, of course, very important. But leadership and management skills are every bit as important - daily our supervisors are leading teams, tacking challenges, adapting to new circumstances, mentoring younger team members etc," says Gallagher.

Led by Mark Warren, training manager, the application approval acts as a "very important step" defines Gallagher.