Local businesses and their employees can get free access to online training courses to develop a range of skills, thanks to a partnership between Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council and a leading provider of learning for business SEEDL.com.

As part of this year’s Learning at Work Week, which started Monday 18 May, the council is encouraging businesses and employees to use the platform, which offers a diverse catalogue of online courses including sales, customer service, wellbeing and Office 365. Recent additions to the platform also feature a range of practical courses on artificial intelligence.

Delivered remotely, the live courses are run by an instructor so that participants can ask questions and get the most from the training.

When a course is completed, participants can download a learning certificate to evidence their personal development in gaining additional skills and knowledge. As an accredited organisation, SEEDL provides training, workshops and events which can count towards continuous professional development (CPD) hours.

The council’s Leader Cllr Paul Harvey said: “This offer of free online courses is part of a drive to improve skills and education to support businesses in the borough, helping our local economy to thrive.

“This year’s Learning at Work Week provides the perfect opportunity for people to register, setting them up for further education at a time that suits them. The borough’s businesses can support their employees by investing in their professional development with no cost to the bottom line.”

To get started, businesses and employees should visit www.SEEDL.com/o/basingstoke where they can register for free with the platform.