A new educational service that puts Scottish people in touch with learning opportunities will be the main focus for discussion at a business event to be held in Lochaber college next week (Thursday April 5th, 2001).

Learndirect scotland, the brand name of the Scottish University for Industry promotes access to flexible learning. Chief executive, Frank Pignatelli will visit Lochaber next week to tell the local business community how learndirect scotland can help build a skilled workforce which is capable of adapting to technological change.

The event is being organised by the local enterprise company, Lochaber Limited. Morven Cameron, head of skills development said: "We fully support learndirect scotland and are delighted with the results of our recent Individual Learning Account field test project where 369 people in Lochaber opened accounts and will benefit from learning.

"We welcome Frank Pignatelli to Lochaber and look forward to showing him the tremendous facilities we have here at the college."

Learndirect scotland provides educational advice through its free phone helpline 0800 100 9000. Information on the phoneline is sourced from the learndirect scotland database which details more than 61,000 educational opportunities throughout Scotland. This includes thousands of different subjects, offered by colleges, learning centres, universities and other learning providers. They can also help you find new ways of learning at home, through CD Roms or on-line courses. The learndirect scotland web site is at www.learndirectscotland.com.

The Scottish University for Industry is also developing its business services as it seeks to help employers implement learning programmes for employees in the workplace.

Further information about learndirect scotland can be obtained by calling Martin Osler, PR Manager, Scottish University for Industry on 0141 285 6042 or 07799413150.