More than 3,000 learning and training professionals have already registered to join the National Tutor Service (NTS).

The NTS is a unique on-line resource which will allow the hub partnerships operating the network of learndirect centres to find and engage appropriate tutors to support on-line learners.

Tutors accepted onto the database have undergone skills, experience and qualifications checking through learndirect and Select Educationís quality recruitment procedures.

Those tutors who do not already have on-line learner support experience undergo specialist training. Some 350 tutors have also received special training to support the learndirect skills for life literacy and numeracy course portfolio.

Sheer quality of tutors

Helen Milner, director of distributed learning and operations at Ufi/learndirect, said: "What has delighted me is the sheer quality of the people coming forward - they are well trained, with relevant experience and very enthusiastic.

"Tutors have come from many varied backgrounds. We have teachers, lecturers and people with years of management or human resources experience.

"I am convinced that we are in the middle of creating a major national asset that will prove invaluable in the future as e-learning continues to develop."

Bob Wicks, chief executive of Select Education plc, said: "We are delighted to be working alongside learndirect in this groundbreaking project, involving a combination of sophisticated, secure internet technology and professional recruitment processes.

"It has been vital for both organisations to be highly committed to working together in a true partnership to develop and launch this initiative."

A flexible service 

It is anticipated that each tutor will look after around 30 learners, although this could increase depending on the individual tutorís circumstances. Helen added: "On-line learning is in itself highly flexible, and therefore offers flexible working opportunities to on-line tutors."

Christine Tootill, who registered to join the NTS in December, said: "I came to learndirect after four years experience of on-line tutoring, working for a small company which provided education for children who were unable to go to school.

"This was amazingly successful and that experience convinced me that learndirect will be exactly right for people looking for an alternative to conventional learning."