Top Ayrshire-based training provider JB Management (Scotland) Ltd has expanded into the Middle East and hired two new members of staff.
The firm, which is located at 12 Wellington Square in Ayr town centre and which provides learning and professional development courses including modern apprenticeships for Skills Development Scotland, has made its first move into Oman.
[Pictured: JB Management directors Maureen Ure (Company Secretary), Bill Ure (Managing) and Angela Evans (Finance).]
JB Management finance director Angela Evans said: “Our market information suggests that there are many in the Far and Middle East who would be keen to follow the Scottish model in education and training.
“To this end, we have set up a subsidiary company – Quality Qualifications International (QQI) – to take our business into the overseas market.
“With backing from Scottish Development International, it is our ambition to equip trainers in these countries with the skills they need to emulate the practices we are currently implementing so successfully here in Scotland. There is a lot of construction work going on in Oman, and things are looking quite prosperous over there.
“We were approached by a company called New Image, and have signed a memorandum of understanding to deliver training with them.
“It will be a lot of health and safety courses for the construction sector. There is also a training school opening in the city of Sohar, in which we will be partners.”
JB Management has also secured major investment to allow it to expand and further hone skills and talent at home and abroad.
The company will use the significant cash injection to set its sights worldwide, recruit additional training professionals, and boost the number of young trainees who pass through its South Ayrshire training facility.
The funding will act as a catalyst that will enable JB to further nurture the skills of local people – particularly the young – to boost the Ayrshire and Scottish economy, and to gain a foothold on world markets.
[Pictured: the management team at JB Management Ltd. First row left to right: Maureen Ure – Company Secretary, Bill Ure – Managing Director, Angela Evans – Financial Director. Second row left to right: Anne Marie Shedden – Quality Manager, Jim McKay – Systems Quality Manager, Kellie Zdanowicz – Operations Manager, Evelyn Kozicki – Centre Manager.]
The bank backing demonstrates confidence in the growth potential of Wellington Square-based JB Management, which was established as a modest, but ambitious concern in 1994 by husband and wife team Bill and Maureen Ure.
In its 18-year history, the company has enjoyed a year-on-year growth in turnover and has increased its workforce to 25.
In the last 12 months, 500 trainees in the age categories 16-19 and 25 years+ have upgraded their skills and achieved qualifications that have secured them long-term employment.
The cornerstone of the company’s growth has been from the initial and growing contracts it secured and retained from Skills Development Scotland – an amalgamation of agencies such as Scottish Enterprise, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, and Scottish University for Industry. Funding from Skills Development Scotland has been crucial in driving forward the Modern Apprenticeship Programme.
Over the years, JB has extended its portfolio of awarding body accreditations to incorporate the growing opportunities throughout Scotland, the wider UK – and now international markets.
The company’s area of expertise encompasses business administration, construction, health & safety, warehousing, management and supply chain management. The higher level qualifications can lead to membership of professional bodies, eg. Institute of Safety and Health (IOSH) and Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB).
JB Management finance director Angela Evans concluded: “Thanks to this pivotal support from our bankers, we are ideally positioned to increase and develop our commitment to our existing clientele. In addition, we aim now to reach out to new markets.”
JB Management’s expansion has been warmly welcomed by
John Scott, MSP for Ayr (pictured above) who said: “This is superb news, and a clear testament both to the vision and commitment of JB Management and to the quality of the training product that they have provided over the two decades of their operation.
“As a company of now global reach, I hope that this will be just the start of JB’s international expansion, and that their success in Oman will be mirrored by further overseas development in the years to come.”
Regional MSP Chic Brodie added: “JB Management is the kind of company of which South Ayrshire and Scotland can be proud.
“Well managed, increased turnover year after year, more staff and a dedication to exporting their unique skills are benchmarks that all companies might emulate.
“The company plays an important part in supporting the Government’s aims for training and job fulfilment for young people. The funding injection can only be good news for the company and its trainees.”
JB Management (Scotland) Ltd is a Founder Member of the Elite Ayrshire Business Circle.
.JPG)
