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26 February 2002
New IT training
venture gets off to a flying start
A Lincoln IT training entrepreneur's newly
formed business - Choose ICT- has got off
to a flying start thanks to a huge demand
for basic computer skills training, being
in the right place and support from financial
backers.
Twenty seven year old Mark Pitfield, who
trained in Information Technology at North
Lincolnshire College, had expected to build
up to 30 customers in the first month of trading
at his learndirect IT training centre on the
Nettleham Road Shopping Centre, Lincoln. Instead,
such was demand that he had 34 enrolled on
the first day!
Now a couple of weeks later he has 192 customers
and is planning to expand the business, buy
in more computers and take on extra staff!
"It came as a surprise just how much
demand there was for basic computer skills
tuition. I think also the location of the
business in a busy shopping centre with good
car parking facilities is also a factor in
the success of the business," said Mark,
who is taking an honours degree in computer
software engineering at Nottingham Trent University
and who runs the business with help from his
partner Lucy True.
"Locations like the Nettleham Road Shopping
Centre occupy prime positions and see a good
throughput of customers. Good car parking
is also often a pre-requisite for business
success. The good start is excellent news
and Mark clearly has the makings of a good
business ," said Daniel Race, partner
Hodgson Elkington, the chartered surveyors
who handled the letting.
Most of Mark's clients are studying basic
computer skills and they receive a certificate
on completion of the course. The majority
will be going on to take their ECDL (European
Certificate Driving Licence) qualifications,
once the business receives accreditation in
a few weeks time, said Mark.
Mark, who both studied and then taught IT
at North Lincolnshire College before staring
his own business, has been supported by the
Prince's Trust, his family and Barclays Bank.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Daniel Race
Tel: 01522 512232
Mark Pitfield
Tel: 01522 880330
Paul Croft
Tel: 01427 788319
Issued on behalf of Hodgson Elkington by
Croft Communications Ltd
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