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CCI to offer e-learning next year
Monday, November 26 2001
by Louise Carroll


The Chambers of Commerce of Ireland is planning to release a new e-learning
training programme to help SMEs develop their e-business strategies. 

The Chambers of Commerce of Ireland (CCI) plans to expand on its existing
instructor-led training programmes for SMEs (small to medium enterprises) to
develop e-commerce strategies and release an e-learning module to the programme
in the first quarter of 2002. "We want to offer SMEs a more flexible way to use
our training programmes. With an e-learning option, we expect the uptake of our
service to be even higher," Karen Hynes, e-business director for the CCI, told
ElectricNews.Net. 

Currently the CCI offers two instructor-led training courses as part of its PRISM
programme. One is a non-technical course to train SMEs in basic Internet skills
and enable them to develop an e-commerce strategy. The more advanced course,
which was launched in October, shows businesses how to manage their Web sites
in-house. 

Named "Chamber Campus," the e-learning course aims to deliver these training
programs to SMEs on their own time and in their own location. Hynes said that in
the past two years Prism's 25 trainers have provided the course to over 650
businesses. The SME sector, which the CCI said employs 50 percent of the Irish
workforce, is often disadvantaged in getting access to e-business training
programmes and expertise. 

 

Hynes explained that Chamber Campus is currently in discussions with groups to
secure the funding to offer the PRISM course as an e-learning program. She said
that the e-learning course would operate in addition to the existing
instructor-led courses and was not intended to replace them.

 

The CCI has recruited eight business executives to work with SMEs on a one-on-one
basis. These experts will guide small business leaders and will help establish
networks for businesses that are implementing an e-business strategy so they can
share experiences and costs. One executive has been allotted per region where the
CCI operates throughout Ireland. The eight regions are divided into North and
South Dublin, the southeast, the southwest, the mid-west, the west, the border,
and the midlands.  

 

Hynes added that many SMEs outsource their IT and although the CCI wants to
provide SMEs with the information to make informed decisions, it does not
necessarily provide them with the products or expertise.

 

The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment is supporting the Chamber
Campus initiative. 

 

 

More information is at HREF="http://www.chambersireland.ie/campus/">http://www.chambersireland.ie/campus/.