e-skills into Business

ESiB programme

The ESiB programme is completely online, delivered over the Internet and comprises three key elements, all working towards helping businesses to improve performance:

• Business Analysis Toolkit (BAT) - A company business diagnostic which gives a business owner/manager a comprehensive Business Analysis Report. This report provides clear objectives and an action plan to engage e-commerce including a "place to start" and a step by step "how to go forward".
  
  
• Skills Assessment Toolkit (SAT) - A skills assessment for employees which identifies any skills gaps between their current skills and skills required to do their job. At the end of the skills assessment, the user is provided with a recommended training programme which will fill these skills gaps through e-learning - made immediately available online "anytime, anywhere".
  
  
• Online learning - An e-learning library of over 200 courses including:
  • IT learning such as the European Computer Driving Licence (ECDL) modules and other basic IT courses,
  • e-business foundation learning (for example "Building an e-business" and "Banking and Finance"),
  • Management and financial planning courses (including an on-line "Management Mentor" specifically written for small to medium sized businesses).
    
    

Availability and cost

Access to the ESiB website and registration onto the site is open to owners/managers of small to medium sized enterprises in South East England, where programme support is fully developed (practical help with access to internet, using the programme online, signposts to business advice etc).

Owners/Managers of small to medium sized enterprises in the rest of the UK can also register and take advantage of the programme. There are plans to develop support networks in other regions as the project develops.

The ESiB website is now live at www.esib.co.uk . When you register on the site, you will have access to the ESiB products and services, which comprise the three key elements as described above:

• Business Analysis Toolkit (BAT)
• Skills Assessment Toolkit (SAT)
• Online learning

You will also receive updates by e-mail informing you of any special offers or new content posted onto the site.

Registration on to the site is free.
BAT - £70 + VAT for unlimited usage for six months from date of purchase
SAT - £40 + VAT for unlimited usage for six months from date of purchase
Online learning – all courses are individually priced and start from £20 plus VAT.

ESiB background

The ESiB Pilot, which attracted over 300 business users was conducted in Milton Keynes, Kent (Dover, Thanet, Swale) and the Isle of Wight. The huge amount of feedback gathered from the Pilot has been incorporated into the next version of ESiB.

By the end of December 2004, the programme aims to reach over 65,000 businesses in South East England with over 20,000 businesses receiving action plans and an extra 10,000 employees undergoing training as a direct result of the programme.

ESiB partners

The ESiB project is managed by the e-skills NTO . It receives funds from the South East England Development Agency SEEDA Learning and Skills Division and is supported by the SEEDA Region Business Links and Chambers of Commerce.

It also benefits from the expertise of many partners, suppliers and curriculum providers from the private sector:

UFI/Learn Direct, Communications Management Association (CMA), NETg, Smartforce, Xebec (McGraw Hill including Harvard Business School courses), the University of Surrey, Interco, Eurocall, Energis, The Real Commerce Company, BT, Comptia, ITTA (USA), webvaluate (USA), Activ Training, Skillserver, the CSSA, the local futures group, Toshiba, ICTEC and Lifelong Learning Systems.

The project is a partner in the Government’s UK online for business programme.

Contact details

• General Enquiries
  
  Contact : Jeannette Armstrong
  Tel :
  Fax :
  Email :
  
  
• Project and Partner Information
  
  Contact : Diane Richards
  Tel :
  Fax :
  Email :