Distance no object as Hong Kong business people fly to Bradford for the best training

Four staff from VL Automation, which provides computer systems for industrial equipment, visited Bradford Training Association Ltd (BTAL) this week because it couldn't find the right service in its home country. Now it has pledged to train its 40-strong workforce with the Yorkshire firm through distance learning.

The training was organised by Ray Lacy, former managing director of Bradford-based Switchgear and Instrumentation, who is working with VL to shake up its management structure and improve productivity.

John Igoe, the managing director, of BTAL, which turns

over 1.2m and offers programmes ranging from apprentice-based training to management development and business improvement, said: "Although we attract people from companies across the UK, it is not

often that people journey such a great distance to receive our training.

"Ray's discovery that there is a lack of training of our calibre in Hong Kong will make us investigate the opportunity of working with him to expand our operations into the Far East."

Jeff Au, financial director of VL Automation, said: "With the rapid growth we are experiencing it is necessary for the company to restructure and develop its people in order to increase sales and successfully complete projects.

"We worked closely with Ray over a number of years when he established and expanded Switchgear & Instrumentation's market in Hong Kong and a manufacturing operation in China, and we are now able to draw on that experience."

VL turns over 2m and clients have included Hong Kong Airport Authority and China Light & Power, the major utility company.

Mr Lacy said: "Having looked for training companies within Hong Kong I was amazed to find none that could deliver programmes appropriate and practical for their needs."