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By editorial@silicon.com, 26 February 2001 17:30

COMMENT However, small and medium-sized firms are still just waiting in the wings. At a recent workshop in Germany for the insurance sector, three quarters of all participants (mainly personnel managers) confessed they are simply not interested in e-learning. Nobody in their companies had any experience with electronic teaching systems. But even the users on show are a long way from company-wide systems. Their IT courses are initially offered at a single company site - or they're tested on a target group such as trainees. Nevertheless, these companies say they have already recognised the benefits of e-learning. The first thing the managers like to mention is the economic potential. IBM states that, by introducing online training, it saved over £80m in 1999 on travel, accommodation and other expenses. Not bad. Companies also appreciate the benefits of employees continuing their education wherever and whenever they want. The sales department at Cisco - another e-learning evangelist - gets as much as 80 per cent of its training via the internet. The process isn't without its problems. There is still a place for traditional, out-of-the-office courses, and the teaching of soft skills requires tutors or mentors. Hybrid learning - using online and offline courses as well as tutors - is the best way forward. What use is the best online course if employees drop out a third of the way through because they're having trouble keeping up? The cost of updating material for a mixed target group still has to be tackled, especially for SMEs, and using an ASP has already been put forward as an answer. Trade associations and chambers of commerce would do well to offer their members a service like this over the medium term. If successful, this could mean less well-off companies starting to compete more effectively with financially powerful, traditionally knowledge-rich players. This Wednesday silicon.com will unveil its third annual Skills Survey special report, and there's is still a chance to take part in this year's survey. Simply visit: http://www.silicon.com/goto-survey2001-de, take part, and stand a chance of winning a Diamond Rio MP3 player.