Within this context, the IGPDE, the training operator for the Economics and Finance Ministry, the Employment Ministry, the Budgetary Ministry, the Public Accounts Ministry, and the Public Administration Ministry, has set up a system of online training for the workers in these different government departments. This system provides eTraining in the office software applications of OpenOffice and Microsoft Office.

"After a very successful pilot scheme to create an e-training system, we have decided to integrate it as a permanent feature of our overall training approach", announced Mr. Anglebert, departmental head at the IGPDE.

Following a standard invitation to tender procedure, the IGPDE subsequently chose the MEDIAplus eLearning solution from Editions ENI. "After painstaking comparison of the different offers on the market, we chose that of Editions ENI essentially for its teaching quality and the autonomy this product offers", declared Mr Anglebert. "The MEDIAplus system best met the training needs of our different administrations", he went on to add.

The implemented system provides online training monitored by training personnel. "Monitoring by a trainer is a key factor of success", explained M Anglebert. "In fact, left to themselves, the learners would have difficulty motivating themselves in the long term. The integration of an eTraining system clearly highlights the question of learner autonomy", he added.

The employee can access the training on his or her desktop computer, on a dedicated machine, or in a training resource centre. In practice, most learners train on their desktop computers. The trainer can either be a Ministry worker providing this service in addition to his or her primary role or a trainer from Editions ENI.

Finally, for an eTraining system to succeed, the technical aspects must not be neglected. "In the definition of requirements, we advise early involvement of the IT services since security issues must be taken into account when choosing a solution in an administration such as ours", concluded Mr Anglebert.