Set up in-house training

Distance learning and Internet-based training

Online and distance learning offers flexible, office-based training. Employees can complete the training at their and your business' convenience. Online or distance-learning courses eliminate travel or accommodation costs and often cost less than classroom-based programmes. Smaller businesses without the time or resources to evaluate courses may want to look out for professionally recognised learning providers.

There are many e-learning and distance-learning courses. Courses can take half an hour or several weeks to complete. They can be bought off-the-shelf or tailored to your business needs, and they can focus on specific bite-sized topics or lead to a recognised qualification such as a Masters in Business Administration.

E-learning courses can be fully automated or live. This means that a tutor can interact with employees wherever they may be. Online presentations, e-books and simulations provide a variety of ways to learn. Discussion forums and knowledge-sharing tools allow learners to communicate and discuss issues with each other. You can learn more about e-skills at the e-skills UK website.

Learning organisations

learndirect - this provider is a government-sponsored network of online learning and information services.

learndirect also provides courses in partnership with selected universities through its Learning through Work scheme. This involves a mix of online learning and one-to-one tutorials and can be customised according to your needs. You can read about the Learning through Work programme on the learndirect website.

The Open University - this distance-learning provider offers professionally recognised courses, using the web, CD-Roms, books and videos. You can take single modules or an entire degree. All students have personal tutors to support them. Read about business courses on the Open University Business School website.

Subjects covered in this guide

• Introduction
• The business case for in-house training
• Informal in-house training
• Formal in-house training - the options
• Buying in a classroom-based course
• Distance learning and Internet-based training
• In-house training - skills requirements
• Training resources and costs
• Evaluating training effectiveness
• Checklist: setting up in-house training
• Here's how I set up in-house training and tailored it to our needs

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