A degree course has been set up to fill Sussex's e-commerce skills gap.

The University of Brighton has designed and will validate the e-systems foundation degree, to be run from four colleges across the county from this autumn.

John Taylor, head of the school of computing and mathematical sciences at the university, said: "We have designed this course, which is unique to Sussex, to help deal with the skills shortage for jobs incorporating e-technologies. This is an area which is becoming increasingly important for most organisations in our region."

The South-East England Development Agency (Seeda) recently found a quarter of employers in the South-East have vacancies because candidates are not suitably skilled, the largest skills gap in any UK region.

Mr Taylor said: "The course has been developed to meet the demand for qualified professionals who can combine extensive work-based experience and an ability to design, manage and maintain electronic systems, such as databases, networks and web sites.

"This is a vocational course, where student ability demonstrated by professional achievement or work experience is just as important as prior formal qualifications. Content has been designed to cover all the major areas needed for industry, from general principles of software and support technologies to specific information engineering and internet technology."

The course is tailored to the foundation degree format, an initiative from the Department for Education and Skills. Qualifications are structured with input from employers to maximise content relevance.

The aim is to establish specialist technical knowledge needed for jobs at the associate professional and higher technician level.

The Sussex course has been geared towards mature students who may have missed out on higher education after leaving school. Entry requirements are broad, to encompass a wide range of potential students.

Mr Taylor said: "Our course is specifically for people in work and is only available on a part-time basis. The normal course duration will be four years and will involve plenty of hands-on activity, including a major work-based project in the later stages.

"We expect to see major interest in the course from applicants, industry and other institutions. Our model could be used as a guide for a national roll out."

Newhaven-based cash drawer manufacturer Cash Bases, which employs more than 200 people, will be supporting staff wishing to apply for the course.

Human resources director Mike Hannay said: "Information technology managers who have a good mix of practical skills underpinned by a theoretical knowledge are a rare commodity. The degree offers companies like mine, and other smaller firms, a solution to this problem by providing education and training for existing employees."

Course fees total £2,400, £600 per year. Each academic year consists of two 17-week terms and students will take three modules a term, each requiring six hours of study.

Eastbourne College of Arts and Technology, Crawley College, Hastings College of Arts and Technology and Lewes Tertiary College are currently looking for students to take up places on the course.

More information is available from the colleges or the university web site.

www.it.brighton.ac.uk/foundationdegree
www.foundationdegree.org.uk