In the interests of curiosity, and with a view to perhaps carrying out some formal learning of its own, TrainingZONE is now the proud owner of an Individual Learning Account.

Having accessed the information via the website and input its details, TrainingZONE received an application form to complete within a few days. A further few days elapsed before a letter dropped through the letterbox containing an Account Card entitling TrainingZONE to 'incentives and discounts for eligible learning'. Apparently the card is needed when enrolling for a course, and information about the incentives that might be available will be available when enrolling. A little vague, perhaps, but worth sticking with so far.

The back of the Account Card gives a new e-mail address, www.my-ila.com, which is currently under construction, but there is information available for learning providers to access. Potential students, meanwhile, are being sent on to the government's Individual Learning Accounts site for the time being.

The whole scheme is currently its first phase, which means that from 12th June 2000, both learners and learning providers have been beginning to sign up for the initiative. From September, learning providers will be able to claim incentive payments for students by registering them and confirming attendance at least once. There is information on the new site describing which types of courses are eligible for discounts and the £150 contribution for the first 1,000,000 accounts to be set up.

The next step for TrainingZONE is to ring the helpline to find out more (on 0800 100 900). We'll let you know how we get on!