A major drive is being launched to equip firms with the skills they need to win new business for the Highlands and Islands. Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) is using the internet to help firms and organisations across the region drive their performance up a gear.

Learning Works, the new online training service which allows businesses and individuals to identify the skills they need and where to get access to training expertise, is being launched at the Drumossie Hotel next Thursday (April 14).

"Investing in people and the development of their skills is one of the main factors in improving business performance," says Alex Paterson, director of developing skills at HIE.

"Our business advisers already help businesses face-to-face, but it's important to supplement this with other ways of offering support, such as an on-line skills advice service, which is available at any time and may be more convenient for busy people.

"The Learning Works web resource www.hie.co.uk/learningworks  includes tools to help identify training needs and a directory of training courses, with a focus on local and on-line learning. It also features case studies, top tips on business topics and a 'meet the expert' section where you can post questions to experts in various fields.

Highland Airways Ltd is one of many local businesses reaping the benefits of investing in targeted training. Commercial director Basil O'Fee says the firm recently won a significant new contract thanks to the strong skills of its staff. "Without a doubt, training is helping our staff improve their prospects in their chosen career at the same time as the company itself is developing," he says.

"I can see this at entry level, from one of our administrative staff eventually becoming our personnel manager, to our pilots undertaking training to fly new aircraft types."

At Thursday's launch business leaders will have the chance to drive up their road skills behind the wheel of the Learning Works Subaru WRX rally car in the grounds of the Drumossie Hotel.

They will also have the chance to speak to representatives from the Sector Skills Development Agency and Sector Skills Councils and attend a workshop by Shirley Murchison on the importance of body language in business.