IT'S THE VIRTUAL THING

Epic, the UK's leading e-learning company, has completed an e-learning project for a branch of the world's best-known drinks company - Coca-Cola Enterprises Ltd (CCE). The e-learning programme - Welcome to the Web - is designed as an introduction to the Internet and CCE intranet.

The objectives of the programme are to encourage people to use the Internet; and to make greater use of, and get more involved with, the CCE intranet. The project is the first time that Coca-Cola Enterprises Europe Ltd has trained its staff via e-learning and, if successful, could lead to a greater uptake of online training by the company.

The programme is aimed at anyone who can access the CCE intranet - from the most senior managers to people working on the shop floor. The programme will also be accessible across a geographically-wide area, encompassing the UK, Belgium, France and the Netherlands, and will be localised into French and Dutch.

The programme will be available via the company intranet and the user will view the training using their desk-based PC or, in the case of production workers, a generally accessible PC. Ian Farringdon, Epic account director, said: 'We are delighted to be working with one of the world's leading brands on their first e-learning programme.'

Sian Jones, HR Director Europe at CCE said: 'It has been a good first experience of developing a bespoke online training programme for Coca-Cola Enterprises Europe Ltd, and Epic have been tremendously supportive, helping us to realise our ideas. The programme will be launched in early 2002 and I look forward to a lot of positive feedback.'