Bradford's businesses have been urged to use the power of on-line learning by The Institute of Directors (IoD).

At the recent launch of learndirect for West Yorkshire Graham Broadhead, Yorkshire IoD regional treasurer, said: "Learning is critical to the business community because of the long-term economic prosperity that inevitably follows with a more highly trained workforce.

"On-line access is one of the solutions to overcoming barriers to learning, especially for those workers who have little time for traditional courses. The idea behind learndirect is that you can learn in the workplace, or at home, or at any computer terminal at a convenient time.

"E-learning is now here to stay and is part of our technological revolution. We are very keen to support this new initiative and welcome the new hub to this region. I urge businesses to get on board."

The scheme provides a range of on-line courses, including industry standard software packages, management and sector specific programmes, to help people learn new skills, increase their productivity and improve their career prospects.

Lilian Black, West Yorkshire hub director for learndirect, added: "We want to bring learning closer to people at work and give them the opportunity to develop their skills in the workplace, at home, at one of our learning centres in West Yorkshire or in an internet cafe.

"Wherever people want to learn they can now log onto learndirect. The launch of learndirect for West Yorkshire, which is the largest hub in the country, gives us the opportunity to develop e-learning and help to improve the economic prosperity of local businesses."

For information about learndirect call (0800) 101 901 or visit www.learndirect.co.uk.