SMEs can receive free IT training
- Posted:
- 15:07 20 Feb 2004
- Topics:
- ISPs | IT Training & Qualifications | IT Professional Associations | IT Workforce
London's small and medium-sized enterprises will be able
to receive free IT training under a new scheme funded by the London
Development Agency (LDA).
The free IT certification training, supplied by training provider
Internet Exchange, will be available to London businesses with less
than 250 employees. Staff can be trained in a range of IT skills
and work towards widely recognised qualifications including the
Microsoft certified professional qualification and CompTIA.
The London Development Agency, the mayor's agency for business and
jobs, is funding the scheme until December 2004. Internet Exchange
has also received funding from the European Social Fund.
The training can be accessed at any of the 17 Internet Exchange
training centres in London, and once the trainee is registered, the
courses can be accessed from the workplace or the home. Online
tutors are available 24 hours a day.
Manny Lewis, acting chief executive of the LDA, said, "It is vital
we have a workforce whose skills meet the needs of small
businesses. Internet Exchange's work is crucial in maintaining
London's position as a leading business location and also helping
the performance of SMEs."
SMEs are leading the growth in IT spending, according to recent
research. Firms employing less than 500 staff spent 7.5% more on IT
in the last quarter of 2003, compared to the 3.9% increase
generated by larger companies, the SSL/Computer Weekly Quarterly
Survey of Appointments, Data and Trends found.
"SMEs are still playing catch-up with larger firms when it come to
IT expenditure, so the difference in spending may continue in the
future," said Kris Wicka, director at Kew Associates.
Further information on the SME IT training
