British Business Parks is assisting companies in Cannock, Burntwood and South Staffordshire to improve their IT skills by helping them successfully navigate the information superhighway - and the direction offered by BBP is certainly proving the route to success for many firms.

Help has been supplied in the unusual form of a double decker bus, a specially converted vehicle fitted out to become a mobile training facility equipped with the very latest computer equipment.

Working in partnership with Cannock Chase Technical College, which staffs the bus with trained advisors, the vehicle tours industrial estates in the district offering firms free advice on improving their IT abilities.

Companies who hop on board are given free help and advice on any IT problem as well as the opportunity to view the latest software packages available from Microsoft. They are also given a free copy of The ICT Project CD-ROM, which contains free PC software and useful information on how to make and save money on the Internet

The specially trained operators help to talk employees through a range of new programmes and techniques such as PowerPoint and mail merge that may help to streamline business and improve performance.

One company that has benefited from the service has been Norton Canes-based manufacturer, Stafford Rubber Company.

The bus has been touring Norton Canes since February and after sampling the services on offer, the firm contacted Business Park Coordinator Morag Pringle to ask about the possibility of using the vehicle at their own premises to help with staff training.

The bus now visits the firm every Thursday with an IT consultant who has tailored the training to the needs of each member of staff.

The company has responded by putting 40 of its 69 staff through new IT qualifications including CLAIT and CLAIT Plus. The firm is also footing the bill for the exam costs.

Terry Rollason, the company’s Quality Systems Director, said: “The facilities on the bus are excellent and we are very grateful for all the help and encouragement we have received from both British Business Parks and Cannock Chase Technical College.

“This is a major commitment on behalf of the company not only in releasing so many staff for training, but also in paying for them to receive a recognised qualification.

“It is an example of the team approach we adopt here and also of our recognition in the importance of developing IT skills for improving overall performance.”