THE largest independent training provider in the North West has won a contract to help train utility workers in South Africa.

Training 2000, Harwood Street, Blackburn, has provided a pilot programme for senior managers, advising them on the challenges they would face following the privitasation of the country's utilities industry.

The contract is worth £12,000 but it is hoped it will lead to further work.

Russ Goodill, Training 2000's director client manager, said: "Training 2000 has already undertaken work in countries such as China, Gujurat and Saudi Arabia.

"We want to establish our foothold beyond the North West and deliver our services to both national and international clients."

The organisation, which was set up more than 50 years ago, also has an office in Hurst Lane, Rawtenstall.

It was approached by Graham Billups an advisor for business support body Business Link Northwest.

Bosses from Training 2000 went on a trade mission organised in 2004 which was followed up by a second visit to Johannesburg.

The firm was then invited to arrange a training programme and drafted in utility specialist Paul Holt, who had worked within the sector when the UK utility firms underwent privatisation.

Mr Goodill added: "We put together a package that looked at a range of issues such as how they would be structured and funded and how they would approach manag-ement under private ownership.

"The country is just starting to introduce vocational qualifications and there are many ways we can help them."