Corpus of IT Training Strategy reports for SMEs - Analysis of “IT training strategies” -Recommendations to set-up Regional IT Training strategy reports for SMEs Author : Marc Sahraoui Consultant

Analysis of “IT training strategies” in 10 selected countries 1.Identification of 10 countries where the penetration rate of ICT in SMEs is the most important 2.Census and analysis of the “best applied” IT Training initiatives used in these countries to accompany SMEs

Analysis of IT penetration rate in SMEs in different countries We have crossed four international indicators : Global Information Technology Report ( ) – Key indicator1 : “the use of Internet in the commercial relations” i2010 classification of the European Union – Key indicator2 : “Integration of the ICT in business relation of SMEs with suppliers and/or customers” OECD ICT database and Eurostat, Community Survey on ICT use in enterprises (May 2009) – Key indicator3 : “Internet penetration by size class” – Key indicator4 : “Internet selling and purchasing by industry”

Classification An average notation from the 4 key indicators The complementarity of these four indicators neutralize the induced possible deformations by each specific methodology. Corrective measures a)some countries do not supply their results for all the indicators. For reasons of quality of the data, we only retain the 11 countries for which this average is obtained by at least 3 indicators. b) according to information available on the initiatives of accompaniment of SME we have selected 10 countries in this list.

List of selected countries 1- United States 2- Switzerland 3- Denmark 4- Korea 5- Netherlands 6- Norway 7- Sweden 8- Canada 9- Australia 10-Ireland

Identification of “IT training strategies” used in selected countries These strategies have as objective to develop the use of ICT by SMEs on the given territory. These strategies – Are specific “SME IT training” in order to help SMEs on IT – Focus on the use of e-learning by regions or governments – Can be: instruments / tools / techniques / methodologies – Have been evaluated as “best applied” – Fits to the profile to our beneficiary regions

14 initiatives selected in 7 countries United States - Switzerland - Denmark Netherlands - Canada - Australia -Ireland

CountriesINITIATIVESStrategies USA SBTN Small Business Training NetworkSelf-Training Resources, Internet-based training site USA SCOREIn-depth workshops and seminars, Self-Training Resources Switzerland i-CH Cooperative ventureICT skills&Tools Switzerland eXperience, case studies on e-commerceSelf-Training Resources Denmark InnotourCollaborative learning Netherlands Digital initiativeIT Awareness campaign, In-depth workshops and seminars, Self-Training Resources Canada e-business TutorialSelf-Training Resources Canada Guidelines and roadmapsSelf-Training Resources Australia SBO Small Business OnlineIn-depth workshops and seminars Australia Skills for GrowthIn-depth workshops and seminars Australia TAFE VirtualCampusICT skills&Tools Ireland eBMI The eBusiness Management Initiative In-depth workshops and seminars Ireland SCMI Supply chain management initiativeIn-depth workshops and seminars Ireland eBSAT eBusiness Self Assessment ToolInteractive assessment tools

2 main axes to analyse 6 main IT Training Strategies 1- The IT relevance for the user (SME) 2- The public support

IT Awareness campaign To help SMEs to go online Method IT Information dissemination Brochures, Step-by-step Guidelines, Websites IT Seminars Independent advice to companies Support Public support, free of charge for users In partnership with Industry associations

In-depth workshops & seminars To improve productivity and business performance Method Training courses for small-business managers Audit from accredited experts Development of an ad-hoc training plan for the company Support Public support to deliver these services free of charge – Selection of agreed training and audit consultants – Agreement of a non-profit organisation

Self-Training Resources Training resources to optimize the use of IT Method Online courses E-library of guidelines, tutorials, road-maps, case-studies On-line interactive assessment to fit the appropriate training courses. Support Public internet-based training site to collect and promote free resources Active involvement of Universities

Collaborative learning To improve IT innovation in companies Method To bring closer sectoral Business, Research and Education actors Web2.0 platform based on content created by the users Support Public support to universities to facilitate the network of users

Interactive assessment tools To automatically generate advice tailored to the needs of the company and based on answers submitted Method Analysis and benchmark of business needs and IT capabilities based on case studies Setting-up an easy to use and structured system to assess to companies’ business activities and their development plan Support Public support to set-up and disseminate the tool free of charge Selection of agreed training and audit consultants to answer to questions from users of the interactive assessment tool.

ICT skills To facilitate and to develop the use of e-learning tools Method Organisation of the offer of e-learning – Structuration and modularization of IT competencies and resources – Virtual learning platform Support Public support of a Virtual learning platform Public qualification and accreditation of trainers and experts

Nearly all programs facilitate rather than stimulate – Financial instruments are not the main instruments – Implementation involves collaboration with sector organisations and clusters as well as consultants, research org° and universities. IT is more than implementing one system For transition issues, awareness & info programs are not effective. More can be expected from programs : - that improve the overall skills, - schemes that allow researchers and students to work with SMEs, - and programs that provide financial support for SMEs to hire consultants that work closely with individual SMEs and business partners. Recommendations from examples

To combine 6 kind of actions : - to accompany SMEs at the different level of IT-maturity From awareness to optimization of the IT implementation - to obtain a synergy of training resources and competencies -to spread and amortize investments on long period -to fit market needs with training plans more flexibles Recommendations for an e-Learning region strategy

To combine 6 kind of actions : - to accompany SMEs at the different level of IT-maturity From awareness to optimization of the IT implementation - to obtain a synergy of training resources and competencies -to spread and amortize investments on long period -to fit market needs with training plans more flexibles Recommendations for an e-Learning region strategy

Regional IT Training Strategy report 1.Identification of segments (group of users) 2.Objectives to attain for each segment 3.Selection of target actions 4.Determination of the action plan 1.Key actions 2.Accompanying measures 3.Dissemination and awareness 5.Budget and resources to mobilize 6.Partnership