Pictured above: Ian Lynch, chief assessor at The Learning Machine, is pictured with Professor Dato' Dr Aminah Ayob, vice-chancellor of the Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris, in a ceremony to mark the agreement during the market visit to Malaysia

A Tamworth education company has signed a deal to export innovative qualifications to Malaysia during a UK Trade & Investment market visit for West Midlands firms.

The Learning Machine (TLM), of Ashby Road, is an accredited awarding body which has developed, and manages, a new series of qualifications called International Grades - Open Technologies (INGOTs).

The INGOTs are designed to provide students with progression routes to the equivalent of GCSE A* to C grades and NVQs by maximising information and software applications from the internet.

During a UK Trade & Investment visit led by Staffordshire's international trade team earlier this month, Ian Lynch, chief assessor at TLM, signed an agreement with the Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris, Perak, Malaysia, to work together to take the INGOTs to Malaysian schools. 

The initial value of the deal is £3,500 but the company is now exploring the potential for much more business with schools and ultimately the government.

Ian said: "We are delighted that, through this visit, UK Trade & Investment has helped us to secure the first part of our development into Malaysia. The magnificent Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur and Malaysia's leadership in hi-tech fields show why the market is developing so rapidly.

"Over the past three years, UK Trade & Investment has helped us build and sustain the global contacts needed for long term international development - we had previously made contact with the university in Malaysia and were able to follow this through with the visit.

"With help from UK Trade & Investment's Passport to Export scheme, we have also travelled to a number of countries to identify potential markets. We are developing into Romania, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic and Spain with help from an EU Transfer of Innovation grant and building links with Germany, Poland and the USA." 

Support available through Passport to Export for new or novice exporters includes a free export health check, attendance at an export workshop, assistance in formulating an international trade strategy and matched funding to help implement this strategy, quality training and mentoring advice and access to the full range of UK Trade & Investment services. TLM completed the programme in 2006.

International trade adviser Rob Lawley, based at North Staffordshire Chamber of Commerce, said: "It was my pleasure to lead the trade delegation to both Malaysia and Singapore. The group comprised companies from many sectors but there was a terrific synergy between all participants. 

"I'm delighted that Ian was able to sign off the deal during the visit and I think this could be the tip of the iceberg for TLM in South East Asia. I know that several of the other delegates have very positive leads and some are already making plans for a return visit in the New Year."

Established in 2005, TLM has seven employees and an annual turnover of approximately £100,000. Its qualifications are used in deprived South African townships free of charge and are being piloted in a number of countries.

For more information about how UK Trade & Investment can help your business expand into new markets abroad, contact the international trade team at North Staffordshire Chamber of Commerce on Tel: 01782 202222.