21.09.06
Telecoms firm expanding as employee wins award

A company which specialises in online e-learning for the telecommunications industry is set for a large expansion after taking advantage of Objective One investment.

PTT (Providers of Telecoms Training) operates from a converted dairy in a small village west of Penzance. Its expansion plans are about to put it at the forefront of the international software training industry and the team has already more than doubled its employees.

The company was set up in 1993 by Bob Nott and Alan Knight, both previously lecturers at the Cable and Wireless Telecommunications College, Porthcurno. "We began by offering what was then called computer-based training to the telecoms industry," explained Bob Nott. "That is what we have mainly been doing until the last couple of years."

Expansion plans began in September 2004 when computer science graduate Ross Trewhella was taken on under the Unlocking Cornish Potential (UCP) scheme. UCP is a highly successful Combined Universities in Cornwall (CUC) project which has received Objective One investment and places graduates with businesses in the region.

Ross helped to improve PTT's course delivery systems so that now everyone can be involved in the training. For instance, as well as a trainee taking a course, the management can monitor the progress.

Ross was supported by a specially appointed mentor, University of Plymouth Computing, Electronics and Communications lecturer, Phil Culverhouse, who said: "As an active developer of an online distance learning tool, called MTutor, I was able to support Ross through the complexities of online learning protocols and generally as a person to bounce ideas off. As one of the main partners of CUC, it was good to see the University of Plymouth involved."

Ross' work has meant the company's area of work can broaden, and this week he won the Best Use of ICT award at the first Unlocking Cornish Potential Celebration Event and Awards, held at Tremough, Penryn.

In October 2005 PTT also took advantage of the Cornwall Research Fund, another CUC project which uses Objective One investment to support small businesses wanting to carry out research and development.

That investment helped PTT work on an expansion project with two strands – to improve existing courses and to develop a brand new Learning Management System (LMS) that any organisation can use, not just the Telecoms industry. The CRF investment has also meant PTT can work to gain the necessary international accreditation via SCORM.

The company has now grown from its two founders to five employees, including Maria Clifford, marketing manager. She is helping to organise a big launch planned for November (2006) at the World of Learning exhibition at the NEC, Birmingham. PTT also plans a sales drive at the Learning Technologies exhibition at Olympia, London, in January 2007.

Peter Castell, CUC business development manager, said: "One of the CUC's most important roles is to work with businesses, helping them to exploit new know-how and technology. PTT are a great company to work with as they are ambitious and looking to grow quickly by expanding into new markets."

Bob Nott commented that knowledge-based companies such as PTT are not restricted by Cornwall's geographic position. He added: "Objective One investment has helped us exploit the Internet to expand our market and potential."

For further information please contact Clare Morgan, Media Relations Manager for the Objective One Partnership Office on 01872 223439 or email cmorgan@cornwall.gov.uk.

The Objective One Programme for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly has invested in the Combined Universities in Cornwall project's Unlocking Cornish Potential Scheme and the Cornwall Research Fund through the European Social Fund (ESF). The Programme has invested in the Combined Universities in Cornwall (CUC) project, both Phase 1 and Phase 2, through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the European Social Fund (ESF).

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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