Scotland Does E-Learning - Statistical Data Included

Training & Development, August, 2001 by Samantha Chapnick

Scottish Enterprise Network: Twelve collaborating but independent organizations serving as the primary economic development organization for Scotland.

Industry (Enterprise): Businesses directly involved in the creation and deployment of lifelong learning and e-learning.

Consortiums: Partnerships between the public and private sectors, often involving academia, to extend lifelong learning and e-learning opportunities.

Those groups working together have accomplished a lot in a short time. Scotland isn't unique in moving towards a new economic model, but what makes it stand out is its comprehensive, well-coordinated approach. That approach seamlessly incorporates resources, implementation speed, and intelligent strategy with elements such as

* an individual lifelong learning account with an initial balance of [pound]150 for every Scot, including discounts (typically 80 percent) for learning focusing on certain subjects (such as IT, e-commerce, European Driver's License). The account holder can use the money for any type of learning (the study of antiques, college courses, subscription to e-learning materials), and tax breaks are provided for employers who add funds. In the first year, 100,000 Scots opened an account.

* Heriot-Watt University's Scholar e-learning program providing educational materials to students throughout Scotland and Malaysia. It grew from one user at inception to 40,000 in the first year. The program is the result of collaboration between many organizations, including Heriot Watt, Scottish Knowledge, and several further education colleges (similar to U.S. vocational institutes).

* Learning and Teaching Scotland in conjunction with 3Com (a communications company), Scot-sys, and the European Regional Development Fund spending [pound]500,000 to create a publicly available learning communications facility, Netlearn.

* a lifelong learning campaign launched by SUFI and Learn Direct, which publicizes a free phone number that people anywhere in Scotland can call (most Scottish companies don't have toll-free numbers) to inquire about any aspect of lifelong learning or e-learning. Ads for the number are everywhere-- buses, trains, taxis, television, and radio. In one year, the Learn Direct line has received more than 120,000 calls. It has also branded 300 Learn Direct Scotland learning centers (100 in so-called "socially excluded" areas).

* Royal Bank of Scotland working with Epic plc, an English company whose CEO is a Scot, has created several e-learning programs. Although the company doesn't pretend e-learning saves money, it believes digital learning enables the company to conduct seven times more training.

* Scottish Executive's Capital Modernization Fund (through a Learn Direct certification program) provides more than [pound]8 million in grants ranging from [pound]50 to [pound]100,000 for any individual or group that meets an extensive list of criteria to open learning centers that "will improve [access to learning], particularly through appropriate use of information and learning technology." The funds cover such costs as hardware, software and licenses, telecommunications, training, and professional fees. Preference is given to centers assisting excluded groups. There are now 103 centers in factories and even at a football (soccer) club.