Scottish Skills Alliance Attracts South African Interest

By Webmaster

March 8, 2010

Members of a skills and training alliance could be in line for significant new business as a result of a fact-finding mission from South Africa on Monday 8th of March.

An independent delegation representing the £11 billion refinery, Project Mthombo, is meeting with IESTA (International Energy Skills & Training Alliance) to find out what training its members provide and explain how they could access lucrative training delivery contracts.

The representatives from the working group on supplier development for the project will outline opportunities for IESTA members in specific areas of training where needs have been identified. These include health and safety, construction and scaffolding, rigging and lifting.

Petro SA, South Africa's national oil company, is to build the crude oil refinery near Port Elizabeth. Situated with the Coega industrial development zone, the refinery is expected to come on-stream in 2015 and produce 400 000 barrels of fuel per day.

Neil Harkin, chairman of IESTA said: “IESTA represents some of the best energy sector training on offer anywhere in the world and we are delighted that this delegation has chosen to meet with us to find out how we could fill the training requirements this massive project will demand.

“We are actively pursuing new opportunities for our members and this is an excellent opportunity to make sure we are in front of those making supply chain decisions.

“Scotland is recognised as leader in skills development for the energy industry, having developed a world-class training and education offering that has grown up alongside the mature North Sea industry. This expertise presents a compelling proposition for global companies, particularly in emerging markets, like South Africa.”

IESTA (International Energy Skills & Training Alliance) is supported by Scottish Enterprise and brings together the very best of Scottish education and training providers to offer a one-stop shop for skills solutions to the global energy industry.

IESTA’s aim is for the education and training providers it represents to win significant international marketshare. Under the umbrella of the alliance they will be able to access opportunities that they would be unable to on their own. Through collaboration in this way, they can bid for bigger contracts.

The alliance offers international customers the ability to source all their training requirements through one organisation, rather than going to individual providers in specific areas of expertise.

IESTA is also seeking new members to join the alliance to broaden the range of training on offer. To become a member, organisations must be Scottish, capable of delivering overseas and demonstrate proven high standards of training and education excellence.

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