The ICT & SMEs project was a 3-year project funded by the Leonardo da Vinci action programme of the European Commission, DG Education and Culture in 2002-2005 to investigate uptake and practices with respect to technology-enhanced learning in SMEs. It completed in 2006, having produced extensive research documentation surveying the state of technology-enhanced learning uptake and practice in small to medium enterprises in seven european countries: Austria, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Spain, Sweden, and the UK. See our front page for access to the reports and documents we have produced, organised into the following categories: Country Reports (broad overviews), Case Studies (detailed studies of SMEs in each country), Focus Group reports (reports from expert panel discussions held in each country), Policy Intervies (reports from interviews with policymakers/experts in each country) and four analytical reports covering infrastructure, people, processes and quality.

The full title of the project is

ICT-VET: The observation, surveying and analysis of the dynamics of practice in the use of ICT as a tool for learning in Vocational Education and Training and SMEs

Background:

Over the past few years, there has been increasing interest in the potential uses of Information and Communication technologies for learning in Small and Medium Enterprises. This focus stems from the realisation of the importance of SMEs in sustainable economic development and in the development of regional economies. At the same time, the increasing importance of information and knowledge in the production process and in stimulating innovation has pointed to the importance of continuing education and learning for SMEs. However, most research and surveys have shown that SMEs have only a limited capacity and participation in continuing education and training. Furthermore, the limited available research suggests SMEs are slow to implement new computer based technologies.

In 2002, a number of new initiatives were launched to investigate further both the present situation with relation to the use of Information and Communication technologies for learning in SMEs and the potential of future use. This web site provides access to three initiatives. The first was a pilot study, undertaken by the Cedefop ICT network (CiRN). The second was a series of two European seminars, organised by north Wales based research and development organisation, Knownet, with sponsorship from the EU Directorate General Education and Culture. The third is an ongoing, three year EU sponsored Leonardo da Vinci research project, ICT and SMEs. Coordinated by Knownet, the project has participants in six European countries.