Confidence in net grows

Advocates of lifelong learning will find comfort in a study from British Telecommunications and Futuremedia. The research shows that the overall growth in internet and intranet use is encouraging human resources managers to take a closer look at online learning, with nearly 40 per cent of organisations either using or planning to use online learning in the next 12 months.

The research follows on from a similar study commissioned for integrated learning systems company Solstra. Two hundred interviews were carried out with human resources and training managers of organisations with at least 500 staff.

Although the awareness of the benefits of online learning remains high, there is still a strong perception that online learning would leave staff feeling isolated. Sixty-one per cent of respondents voiced concerns over this, but 52 per cent saw the collaborative benefits that online learning can bring.Twenty-one per cent of companies are using or implementing online learning - training and job support information delivered over the internet or intranet direct to staff desktops.

Details: www.solstra.com