SCOTTISH O&G TRAINING PROVIDERS FORM NEW COMPANY TO TAKE SCOTTISH EXPERTISE TO EAST AFRICA

Dundee & Angus and Edinburgh Colleges have come together with 3 of Scotland’s leading private training providers to form the Scottish Training for Energy Partnership (STEP) Limited.

Together with the colleges, Synergie Training, Navitas Compliance Solutions and Sibbald Training  will enter the emerging oil and gas market in East Africa, delivering world class technical, vocational and skills training.

The formation of STEP followed the positive outcome of an in-depth feasibility study in East Africa on behalf of the consortium in January 2017 supported by Scottish Development International which specifically looked at the potential benefits of entering the East African Market in direct support of the Uganda-Tanzania Crude Oil Pipeline (UTCOP) (The Hoima-Tanga Pipeline Project).

East Africa is set to be the net beneficiary of $50bn in development funding over a five year period and STEP is looking to capitalise on this business opportunity by delivering Oil & Gas related training based on the technical experience and knowledge gained at the cutting edge of development in the North Sea and other recognised Oil & Gas Regions across the globe.

With its comprehensive Technical, Vocational and Skills training offering STEP has enormous expertise, and capacity to deliver East Africa’s training needs through a single entity.

Speaking on behalf of STEP, CEO, James Murphy, said: “We hope today is a turning point in how technical, vocational and skills training is delivered in Africa. By providing access to training at all levels, using various formats including digital, we aim to bring massive economic benefit to the communities we are working in by delivering and leaving an important skills legacy.

“The skills that we are teaching will not only benefit the individual but also the wider socio-economic environment of East Africa by allowing internal growth and development to move at a faster pace.”

Ewen Cameron, Head of Trade and Investment, Energy at SDI, said: “We are delighted to have been able to support STEP in its ambition to bring Scottish Oil & Gas expertise to the emerging East African market.

“Scottish O&G training providers and supply chain with their North Sea pedigree have all the technical knowledge required to get this project off the ground. We look forward to continuing to work with the Oil and Gas industry in Scotland to capitalise on overseas opportunities and in October 2017 we will lead an O&G/Training trade mission to Uganda and Tanzania to further enhance this drive.”

Synergie Training are now offering NEC3 Training in South Africa.

Follow Up information:

For further information please contact:

James Murphy

CEO0020

Scottish Training for Energy Partnership (STEP) Limited.

James.murphy@navitasworldwide.com

Telephone: +44 (0)1 779 822029

Mob: +44 (0)7525 842318

About Scottish Development International

Scottish Development International (SDI) works to attract inward investment and knowledge to Scotland to help the economy grow. It also helps Scottish based companies to trade overseas and promotes Scotland as a good place to live, work and do business. It is a partnership between the Scottish Government, Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise and its work is guided by the Scottish Government’s strategy for economic development in Scotland.  To find out more visit us at www.sdi.co.uk