Ufi has announced that the Army is to be a Ufi hub, making on-line learning accessible to all its employees. Soldiers, their families, and civilians employed by the Army will be able to learn on-line from wherever they are posted, choosing from a wide range of courses which include ICT, Business Skills, and Literacy and Numeracy.

The Army is the third of the UK's largest employers to make Ufi's learning products and services available to all its employees, following the announcement in February this year by BT and by Unipart this month.

Four learndirect centres will be established in garrisons across the UK. In autumn this year the scheme will be piloted in four Army Learning Centres (ALC) in London, Aldershot, Tidworth and Wattisham. Each ALC will be equipped with information and communications technology (ICT) suites and video conferencing facilities.

"We want to encourage a culture of lifelong learning across the Army, and are fully committed to getting the best out of our employees", explained Brigadier Patricia Purves, Director of Educational and Training Services (Army). "Our involvement with learndirect undoubtedly represents a positive step forward for us all. This is a scheme that has support at the highest levels and will no doubt increase educational opportunities for all."