Two sites to look out for providing simple training solutions on the web are highlighted here. Both sites are straightforward to use and have clear, easy- to-understand visuals and text.

There's a fun website aimed at improving basic skills at www.textrain.com.

As its name suggests, the project was originally set up for the textile industry, but is applicable for anyone struggling with numeracy, literacy and those needing to improve their communication skills.

In the section on numeracy, you can brush up on long multiplication and division, percentages, mental arithmatic. The writing skills section covers punctuation and grammar and writing memos and reports. The site also contains a CV wizard, which, although in a standard format, would be extremely helpful to those struggling to create one.

Another site, designed in a similar way but aimed specifically at interpersonal skills, is www.makeheadway.com.

The programme of study available covers areas such as self-motivation, assertiveness, body language, communication skills and teamwork.

“It may seem unusual to use the Internet to teach interpersonal skills but for those people without local access to education, distance learning is a valuable tool,” explains Bill Daring of KMP Internet.com, the company behind the technology for the site.

The European-funded project has been primarily aimed at the unemployed living in rural communities, but would also prove useful within the workplace. Both sites are currently available to access free of charge.