It is unlikely that you will have the resources and skills available for e-learning in your organisation and that you will need external help in setting up an e-learning programme. Where can you get help?

There are many potential sources of support for Small and Medium Enterprises although a survey I did of e-learning in SMEs suggested support can be patchy and all to often managers in SMEs do not know what services are available.

Support can come from:

• Education and training providers. Many universities and colleges offer assistance to SMEs to meet training needs
• Supply chain organisations. Large companies may provide support to members of their supply chain or there may be networks between different suppliers in the supply chain.
• Regional and local economic development organisations may provide services to help small and medium enterprise develop training and e-learning.
• Chambers of commerce
• Sector organisations
• Trade unions
• Government agencies and departments at national and regional level
• E-learning providers
• Consultants

There is a lot of information available on the web, with a number of guides, similar to this one, specifically written for Small and Medium Enterprises. The quality of these vary - the best thing is to read a number of them and cross check the information and ideas.

There are also a considerable number of projects, funded by the European Commission or by national and regional governments and education and trade organisations, designed to develop e-learning programmes for SMEs. If there is a project in your region of sector this may be a very good starting point for getting information and advice.

Launching e-learning is an important investment and it is worth taking some time to plan and design your training.

5.1 Key issues

• What help and advice about e-learning is available in your region / sector?
• Are their enterprises in your region / sector already involved in e-learning? Who provided them with help and support?
• Who else may be able to provide you with help and support for e-learning?