Forth Valley College were present at two high profile trade missions to China and Ghana recently.
The college’s International Business Development Manager Andrew Campbell attended the Scottish Development International (SDI) Oil & Gas Trade Mission to Beijing, China between the 24– 31 March and the SDI’s Oil & Gas Trade Mission to Accra, Ghana between 9-10 April.
The China trip involved 13 Scottish oil and gas supply chain companies including Heriot Watt University and was centred around a two day (27-28 March) CIPPE Beijing Expo, South East Asia’s largest Oil & Gas and Petrochemical Event.
Andrew said: “Participation in the event and wider trade mission allowed us to raise the profile of our own capability, but more importantly re-engage face to face with existing contacts including The British Council and CNPC.”
The Ghana mission involved 22 Scottish oil and gas supply chain companies including University of West of Scotland. Participation in the trade mission allowed FVC to further raise its profile and show its commitment to building partnerships in build on existing contacts including Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC), who visited FVC along with Ghana’s Deputy Minister for Energy Joseph Cudjoe, in October 2017.
Andrew, said: “We met with Rigworld Training to discuss a recent proposal made by us to deliver CompEx Foundation programmes to the oil and gas sector in Ghana. Further areas of partnership were also discussed including the delivery of online Management and Leadership qualifications through CMI, and the potential of offering level 2 and level 3 vocational qualifications for the oil and gas industry.
“Participation in the April trade mission was an opportunity to re-engage with our network and to try and progress the GNPC proposal. We also took the opportunity to meet with the British High Commissioner, Ian Walker, SDI Country Manager, Andy Monaghan and the UK Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy to Ghana, Adam Afriyie MP.
“Outwith the programme, HM High Commissioner Ian Walker also invited us to take part in a live TV interview at the Joy TV studios, which presented the opportunity to showcase FVC and why we are interested in Ghana.”
