Finding training and tutorials online21 October 2005
There are several core business skills that you will almost certainly need to develop and improve as your business grows. These include both the specific skills required to operate in your business sector, as well as core business skills in areas like:
- Sales and marketing
- Administration
- Tax and managing money
- IT
Training via the web is an ideal option for small businesses. You can access training courses from your office or from home in your own time, reducing time spent off-site and cutting the travelling expenses often associated with training. Online training can be tailored to suit individual needs, by matching your learning pace and taking into account the pressures of running a small firm.
There are a number of sources of online training that can help you and your staff develop your skills.
Getting started - planning your training needs
- The Learning and Skills Council (LSC) offers a tool to help you identify web-based courses in areas where you need to brush up your skills.
- You can find a searchable database of courses and an explanation of the training courses available online at the Government's Way to Learn website.
- You can assess the minimum skills required for your sector at this directory of National Occupational Standards.
- Learndirect provides a database of thousands of courses available throughout the UK, both to study online and at your local college.
Online courses and tutorials
There are a number of online training portals offering a range of web-based courses and online degrees in general business topics - see WorldWideLearn and ElearnUK as examples.
You can also consult the following resources for details about training in specific areas, such as business start up, finance and IT.
- E-Skills UK offers a passport for acquiring and developing the basic IT skills needed in all businesses.
- A free online course in starting up a small business is available at My Own Business. The National National Extension College also offers a web-based course in business start up.
- See Beginners.co.uk for a range of web-based tutorials and short courses dealing with a variety of small business issues, from accounting and financial management to IT. Skills Train is also a good source of web-based courses in topics such as basic IT and financial management.
- The arbitration body Acas offers a free e-learning tool providing training in various aspects of recruiting and managing staff. You need to register to access the materials, but the course is completely free of charge.
Developing your skills
Once you've reviewed your existing skills, it's important to put a personal development plan in place for improving and updating them on an ongoing basis. Think about issues such as:
- Understanding the importance of continuing professional development (CPD).
- Budgeting for further training and time away from the office.
- Setting targets and regularly reviewing your progress.
CPD UK is an information resource explaining what CPD is and how you can best achieve it in your business.
