The US company Futurekids Inc, which offers computer training for the four- to 15-year-old age group, currently has three franchisees in Spain, with more in the pipeline, say the company. Two centres in Madrid and one in Leon were opened at the beginning of 1995. Their aim is to impart a blend of pedagogy, technology and fun. Marketing and development director for Futurekids Espana SA, Jose Hurtado, explained: It’s not just a question of teaching the youngsters programs. We try to help them to become familiar with information technologies, while fostering qualities of creativity, teamwork and respect towards others; these are useful qualities in a company worker, which is what many of our young trainees will be in just a few years. Futurekids gave its first franchise outside America in 1989 and now boasts over 500 centres in some 60 countries. Hurtado confirmed that Futurekids Espana is currently negotiating with potential franchisees, as a result between five and 10 more centres will be opened in Spain soon.
