July 16, 2007 -- Blackburn-based Training 2000 is expanding its horizons in the search for new international markets with a contract to help pave the way for the privatization of utility services in South Africa.
The company -- the largest private sector training provider in the North West -- provided a pilot program for senior utilities managers that explored the issues they would face in the private sector.
Russ Goodill, Training 2000's Director Client Manager, said he hoped the high-level program would lead to further work.
"Training 2000 has already undertaken work in countries such as China, Gujurat and Saudi Arabia," he said. "We want to establish our foothold beyond the North West and deliver our services to both national and international clients."
The company first became aware of the potential of South Africa through an approach from Business Link adviser Graham Billups. It went on a trade mission organized by UK Trade and Investment in 2004 which Russ Goodill followed up with a second visit to Johannesburg.
From the contacts made, Training 2000 was invited to arrange a training program for senior figures from the utility industries. The company brought in associate specialist Paul Holt who had worked at a strategic level within the utilities sector in the UK when it was undergoing the process of privatization.
"We put together a package that looked at a wide range of issues such as how they would be structured and funded and how they would approach management under private ownership," said Russ.
"There is a lot of potential for us in South Africa," he said. "The country is just starting to introduce vocational qualifications and there are many ways we can help them in areas such as delivering standards."
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