A FAREHAM business has just secured a new two-year contract to plan and deliver e-learning courses for more than 100,000 people across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.

The Hampshire and Solent Learning Hub (HSLH) has successfully operated the learndirect contract for the past three years, working hand in hand with more than 50 learning centres across the region.

In 2002/3 it enrolled some 42,000 people on learndirect courses.

Since August the hub, one of the fastest growing hubs across the country, has enrolled more than 45,000 people on courses. More than 500 specially designed on-line courses in self-development across a range of topics and skill levels are on offer, taking in everything from life skills to management NVQs.

Denise Candy, hub chief executive officer, said: "We're so pleased to have secured a second two-year contract with learndirect. We are very proud of what we've achieved and how many people we have helped to reach their goals. The team has worked extremely hard and this is the best recognition of their achievement that we could possibly have had."

Such has been the success of the Hampshire and Solent Learning Hub that it has now been awarded the contract to develop learndirect in Berkshire.

Further information about courses on offer in the Hampshire and Isle of Wight region are available from www.learndirect.co.uk