Small businesses should help improve the skill of their workers by using computers, it ha been claimed.

Training over the internet will not only better employees IT skills but will also help workers to "take advantage of the internet" on expert has said.

Laura Overton, director of e-learning at e-skills UK, said that the web should be use in training sessions and that it was important that good communication was had between managers and employees while training it taking place.

She said that not all businesses are making use technology-assisted learning – particularly small firms who sometimes struggle to balance training with the day to day running of the firm.

"When workers are learning to take advantage of the internet they need to know it is there," she added.

"Having a strong communications process is critical for this type of training, people need to be made aware."

Figures from the Chartered Management Institute show that 72 per cent of workers admit they are not using the internet as a training tool – spending just 30 minutes or less on-line.