HM Treasury News Release
158/97                                          10 December 1997
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             TREASURY TASKFORCE SEEKS PARTNERSHIP 
                        FOR PFI TRAINING

Private sector bidders are being invited to provide in-depth
training in Private Finance Initiative (PFI) project management,
project finance and negotiating skills for civil servants,
Paymaster General Geoffrey Robinson announced today.  

In the the third Public/Private Partnership (PPP) of its own, the
Treasury's Private Finance Taskforce is seeking tenders for a
partner to re-focus Civil Service training and help create PFI
experts in the public sector. 

Commenting on the announcement, made in response to a
recommendation of the Bates Review of PFI, Mr Robinson said :

     "In the past, a good job has been done training civil
     servants in the basics of PFI. But it is essential that
     Government Departments build on that to train and create
     their own specialists to ensure the best performance and
     value for money from PFI projects.

     "With a growing number of PFI projects signed or close to
     signature, Departments are keen to benefit from training
     events delivered by PFI practitioners with real and
     extensive experience in the field. The Treasury Taskforce
     has worked together with other Departments to identify
     specific training requirements, which we are now seeking a
     partner to help deliver. 

     This is a welcome step forward  which will help to ensure
     that high quality PFI projects are delivered efficiently
     and effectively." 








NOTES TO EDITORS


1.   The Private Finance Taskforce is seeking tenders from all
     interested parties. It is expecting responses by early
     January with a view to pilots being developed and delivered
     in the Spring. Those interested in tendering may obtain
     further details from Tony Whitehead of the Private Finance
     Taskforce on 0171-270-4637.

2.   The Treasury Taskforce has developed two previous PPPs. An
     Internet website, delivered in partnership with
     InteResource, with sponsorship from DTZ, Price Waterhouse
     and Berwin Leighton, is already operating. A contract to
     deliver Taskforce PFI Conferences is close to conclusion.
     Both projects will be delivered at no cost to the taxpayer. 

3.   Today's announcement follows Recommendation 24 of the Bates
     Review of PFI, published in June 1997. This asked the
     Taskforce to commission specialised PFI training packages
     geared specifically to types of projects and/or areas of
     expertise for Departments. The Taskforce and other
     Government Departments have since been involved in a
     detailed consultation process to define detailed PFI
     training requirements before the tendering process could go
     ahead.

4.   Media enquiries should be addressed to Malcolm Graves on
     0171 270 5192. If you have access to the Internet you can
     find this news release and other Treasury material at
     http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk. 

5.   The Treasury's Private Finance Taskforce also has a website
     at http://www.treasury-projects-taskforce.gov.uk