A £1.25 million project sponsored by the South-East England Development Agency (Seeda) has been launched for small and medium-sized businesses.
This project is to encourage them to undertake more online staff training.
It is hoped the scheme will increase the competitiveness and profitability of companies by helping them take advantage of the internet and e-commerce opportunities.
The e-skills into business (ESiB) scheme, to be run by the e-skills National Training Organisation (NTO), will offer training programmes for employees, including information technology, e-business foundation, inter-personal and management skills and financial planning courses.
Companies will be given help to assess their training requirements and identify the best way to fill any skills gaps.
The ESiB programme comprises three distinct elements to help businesses to improve performance.
The business analysis tool-kit helps owners and managers choose a place to start and provides a step-by-step action plan on how to use technology to improve business.
The skills assessment toolkit identifies any gaps between the skills employees have and those required to do their job. It provides employers with a recommended e-learning training programme to fill the skills gaps.
An online learning management system provides an e-learning library of more than 200 courses, which cover general information technology, e-business foundation learning, interpersonal and management skills and financial planning.
Project manager Nigel Payne said: "Following a very successful pilot phase, we are now rolling out the ESiB system and making it available for all businesses in the Seeda region.
"The project will play a key role in getting small and medium-sized companies ready for e-business. Companies can generate significant savings and create considerable efficiencies from moving their business online and making full use of the internet as a business tool."
Seeda's head of learning and skills Kathy Slack said: "As the importance of technology and e-business grows, it is vital companies of all sizes have the right skills to allow them to create a competitive advantage.
"Improving business and technology skills is essential for all companies, from the sole trader to those with more than 250 employees. We are confident the ESiB programme will have a positive impact on small businesses and the economy in South-East England."
Small and medium-sized companies in the Seeda region can join the scheme by registering on the ESiB web site.
They can get free access to special offers and promotions, announcements of new partners and case studies of companies in the programme as it gains momentum.
ESiB is supported by South-East Region Business Links, which can offer advice on how to access the internet for businesses wanting to get involved in the ESiB programme but not yet online.
The NTO is formally recognised by government as The National Training Organisation for the Information Age, with responsibility for the information technology and telecommunications industries and for information technology-related skills in other sectors.
ESiB is also a partner in the Government's UK online for business scheme.
The scheme aims to reach over 65,000 business by the end of 2004, deliver action plans to over 20,000 companies and provide training to 10.000 employees.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article