The Internet has come a long way since its early days as a way of linking up computers at universities and in government departments.

Now it is so cheap and easy to use almost anyone who wants access can get it.

But that does not mean it is equally easy to get the most efficient business use from this new medium despite its enormous potential for promotion and marketing.

With this in mind a series of Internet workshops for businesses have been organised by Aztec - the south-west London training and enterprise council.

The subsidised workshops aim to give business users a clear understanding of how their organisations can benefit by using new and developing information technology.

They promise to cut out the computing jargon and help users identify real business opportunities.

Users will have the chance to compare good and bad websites, decode some of the jargon which surrounds the Internet, get some hands-on experience and find out how to get started themselves.

For more information contact Aztec on 0800 181869.

Or, if you already have Internet access, log on to a brand-new website at www.skillsurfer.com, for a database of management training opportunities nationwide.

It has been set up as part of a Government initiative to boost skill levels in the nation's businesses.

Some of the courses on offer are available in an interactive PC format.

This means they can be used in the office by people who want to study at their own pace.

For more information on Skillsurfers call its helpline on 0800 731 4409.

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