eLearning in Russian SMEs -

The Experience in Perm

Paper presented to the SIMPEL conference, Brussels 14th April 2008

Svetlana G. Akhmetova, Larisa V. Nevskaya, Steffi Engert

Internet-based learning/e-learning started at the beginning of the 90s,

mostly in joint East-West projects

Distance-learning has a long tradition in Russia due to

geographical specifics and high esteem of education

Take-off eLearning/Shaping of Market

• 2000-5 Federal Targeted Programme eEducation by Russian Government

• Russian E-Learning Awards

• Academic sector first in the leading position

• Business awareness of need of training is growing in recent years

• Anticipated growth of 50-70 % p.a. with Business as leading sector

Prognosis of eLearning Market

Year Expected Turnover Mio $$

2006 48

2007 72

2008 108

2009 106

2010 275

2011 468

2012 796

Source: Cnews http://www.cnews.ru

SMEs

Scissors big business- SMEs

Problems faced by SMEs

Big Companies

SMEs

- lack of skills- lack of competence- no profile- legal insecurity

Required: New innovative

models of support

SMES in Perm Region

- almost 11.000 in 2005- uneven distribution by branch and region- average employment: 8- SMEs per 1000 inhabitants: 4

development hampered, partly declining for lack of professionalismand absence of advantageous conditions

Project Support Portal

• Part of wider “Target Programme for SMEs 2008-10

• Online information resources, consulting,training

• Project structured around these tasks:

• Structure and Design of Web-Portal

• Development of eLearning Model for SME entrepreneurs

• Development of Model for online consulting

• Course Development on Business Plans, Financial Planning, Marketing

• Repositories for legal and normative documents

• Tests and recommendations on Software products

• Two Support Points in Perm Region (Kungur, Lysva)

• Evaluation and Dissemination