Mohammed Ilyas, aged 31, from Joiners Square, said: "My English is not good but I would like it to be better. I'd be happy to do the NVQ to improve my English. I would also like to learn more about the area and how to be a better taxi driver."

Tariq Suleman, aged 55, from Sandyford, said: "I'm happy to do the NVQ but I am sick of this taxi driving job. The council is allowing so many people to become taxi drivers we are sitting in one place all day with no business. I am looking for another job and I would do anything."

Muhammet Koyuncuoglu, aged 34, from Hanley, said: "Some taxi drivers do not know how to speak to customers properly. They don't realise they need to keep the car clean and show respect to customers. If they improve with the NVQ then more people will use taxis."