Staff at one of the north's biggest bus companies have reached a European landmark without even turning a wheel - and the 12 employees of Rapsons Coaches Limited undertook the unusual trip from the comfort of their own desks.

The journey was in fact one which took the employees through the European Computer Driving License (ECDL) - this standard of computing confidence can be used by anyone across Europe to improve their information technology (IT) skills.

The ECDL standard covers seven modules which includes the basic concepts of IT, file management, word processing, spreadsheets, databases, presentations, and working on the internet.

Inverness and Nairn Enterprise (INE) provided a 50 per cent grant towards the £14,000 costs of putting 25 staff through the modules which make up the ECDL, and was part of a larger company training plan developed by Rapsons Coaches.

Bill Sylvester, chief executive of INE presented the staff with their certificates at the Marriott Hotel in Inverness today (Monday, 30 April, 2001). He said: "ECDL is being used increasingly by local employers to train their staff in various information technology applications. The standard is very flexible as participants and employers can pick and choose which modules are most appropriate to what they do in the workplace.

John Lornie, finance director of Rapsons Coaches said: "Information technology now plays a major part in achieving increased effectiveness and profitability in our business.

"We have invested heavily in information technology in recent years but this isn't enough on its own - making sure our staff are properly trained is equally as important and the European Computer Driving License has helped us achieve this."

To find out more about the European Computer Driving License contact the enquiries desk at Inverness and Nairn Enterprise on 01463 713504.