30.11.05
Marine company in the swim thanks to South West Investment Group

A specialist marine and diving business which will provide essential training and support services for the diving sector across the UK has been launched in Cornwall thanks to a £17,000 investment package from South West Investment Group (SWIG).

Destco Ltd received the interest-free funding from SWIG, to help establish its new training centre in Liskeard which will enable the company to deliver NVQ-based Marine Technicians Training Courses in addition to providing training, repair, maintenance and testing services for recreational and commercial diving companies across the UK.

Believed to be one of only two independent marine training and servicing centres in the UK, Destco has formed a collaboration with the Falmouth Marine School to provide students with Level 2 NVQ in Engineering Maintenance and Installation. Technical and safety training will also be provided for those already working in the marine and diving sectors.

"Not only is there a major requirement for a fully equipped training and servicing centre to meet the needs of the flourishing Cornish marine and diving industry, but as there is only one other company offering the type of independent training or servicing facilities under one roof in the UK, we are already attracting interest in our services from businesses across the country, which is very encouraging," said Destco managing director John Elliss.

Mr Elliss, who spent 25 years running his own diving company in Cornwall before setting up Destco Ltd, said the Objective One-backed investment from SWIG played an essential role in enabling the company to get up and running. "The funding from SWIG has given us a real boost, enabling us to put the workshop and training centre in place as well as purchase vital equipment to support the business. It was a real pleasure working with the team at SWIG. They couldn't have been more helpful and we are delighted that SWIG understood the unique role that our business will play in the marine industry," said Mr Elliss.

SWIG fund manager, John Peters, said: "Destco Ltd was a perfect example of a business based in the South West which had a unique business proposition not only for the region but across the UK. John and his team not only have a great deal of experience of working in the marine and diving industry, but they have established a business the clearly fills a gap in the local, regional and national market which is exactly what our funding is designed for," said Mr Peters.

For more information please call 01872 223883 or visit www.southwestinvestmentgroup.co.uk.

The Objective One Programme for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly has invested in SWIG Cornwall Business Enterprise Fund and Cornwall Business Growth Fund through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

Editor's notes:

Clare Morgan
Media Relations Manager
Objective One Partnership Office
Castle House
Pydar Street
Truro TR1 2UD
Mobile: 07973 813647
Telephone: 01872 223439

cmorgan@cornwall.gov.uk

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