"A key part of Ufiís remit is to build the market for learning among SMEs, which account for 99 per cent of the nationís employers, 49 per cent of total employment and 49 per cent of total turnover," explains Pablo Lloyd, Ufi Director of Corporate Development.

"Clearly, the SME market offers massive potential but, as is well known, its diversity makes it a challenging area in which to make an impact on skills development. Ufiís approach is to engage with organisations and companies who have existing and often very trusted relationships with their SME customers.

"I canít think of an organisation that fits the bill better than the BCC. That is why we are all so pleased that Ufi is entering in to this agreement. The BCC will act as a national learndirect hub with local chambers acting as their learning centre network. There are currently thirty chambers with the capacity to offer learndirect on-line courses and these will be in the vanguard of SME on-line learning across the country." BCC commercial director Kathy Riley added:

"It is a central function of the BCC to help businesses achieve greater profitability. It is widely recognised that appropriate business-focused training has an important part to play in the achievement of this aim."

"However, it is apparent from our existing work with small businesses in particular that problems relating to time and cost dissuade many businesses from getting involved in training at all. We are confident that learndirectís flexible  anytime, anywhere courses will help us to overcome these barriers."