The Smart Technology for a Smarter Business Programme was launched at the Union Haddiema Maghqudin (UHM) headquarters, following the Vertical Strategic Alliance between the Investment, Industry and Information Technology Ministry and HP.

Information society secretariat manager Isabelle Bonello said the programme is geared towards providing small businesses which employ fewer than 10 workers with hands-on training and the necessary tools to face the challenges and opportunities small business around the world are currently facing.

Ms Bonello said the programme will be delivered by four HP-trained teachers at the Centru Salvinu Spiteri – Community Technology and Learning Centre at the UHM headquarters Floriana.

The programme is offered in three courses; the first introduces the common technologies that can be adopted in any regular business, such as email, internet and common financial documents.

The second course focuses on technologies needed by small businesses to manage their operations while keeping financial control, whereas the third introduces email and internet as a marketing tool.

UHM Secretary General Gejtu Vella said the centre was opened with the knowledge that training is the key to success. He stressed that those who do not seek further training during their careers will inevitably settle for mediocrity.