A-LEVEL students from St Ninian's High School have been investigating how the Steam Packet Company meets the needs of its customers.

As part of their Applied Business Course the students visited the Sea Terminal to study the needs of customers and how the Steam Packet Company attempts to meet them.

Teacher Stephen Edwards explained: "The visit allows the students to learn how the Steam Packet Company monitors, maintains and improves customer service through a variety of methods which includes looking at details and results from the electronic customer surveys they carry out.

"The students also found out about how Manx, UK and EU legislation affects the company's customer service. The students now have to prepare a piece of coursework, based on their research/findings, and they must present this in January.

"The Steam Packet Company has been incredibly helpful and accommodating over the last three years and the experience is invaluable to the students in the completion of their coursework.

"There is a wealth of business knowledge available in the Isle of Man and our students are very fortunate to be able to meet with key personnel at a business like the Steam Packet Company."

As part of the link-up with the school David Findlay, company director of marketing and communications, and Lisa Broadbent, passenger services coordinator, attended one of the student's sessions to answer their questions.

David said: "Customer service is a vital element to any business and it's one in which we invest a significant amount of time and training.

"Customer service is also an important part of any business studies course and we're delighted that St Ninian's find the work we do in this area of benefit to the students.

"It's a pleasure to both host the students when they visit the Sea Terminal and to meet them in the classroom where they make sure they have a series of challenging questions lined up for us!"