The UK's first national e-business qualifications, designed by Edexcel, become available to students in colleges and schools from September 2002. Welcomed by the government's e-commerce minister, Stephen Timms, the new BTEC qualifications are the first below HND/degree level to be offered by a national awarding body.

Mr Timms said: "The launch of these first national e-business qualifications is the first step in the right direction. They will open students up to the wealth of benefits e-business technologies have to offer. They will help nurture the right culture for all businesses to benefit in the future."

Courses enable students to learn a wide range of e-business skills such as how to design a website, set up a virtual bank account and operate security features like firewalls. Familiar business issues like planning, marketing and distribution are considered in the light of the internet.

Employers' need for staff who can understand and use information and communications technology in a growing range of business contexts prompted us to develop the courses. They cover skills in demand across the public, private and voluntary sectors.

"E-tail sales are growing at 15 times the high street rate. Self-employed farmers and musicians are promoting their businesses online, while IBM has dispensed with paper invoices altogether," explained our e-business specialist, Gerry Rogers. "Employers today need people who can use computer-based systems across all business applications."

Equally suitable for full-time students, people in work or running their own business, and those seeking employment, the courses can be taken part-time alongside other qualifications or work. Students can choose from a BTEC National Certificate, equivalent to two A levels, or two BTEC National Awards, each equivalent to one A level. The Awards cover different subjects to prepare students for employment in either technical or management roles.

Some 400 business teachers have attended meetings nationwide to review the courses during the past year and the qualifications have been welcomed by the respected National Association for Business Studies Education. "The knowledge and skills that students will gain from Edexcel's new e-business qualifications will make them attractive to employers and enhance their employability," said the Association's Hilary Cowell.

Early indications suggest that around 1000 students will sign up for the courses this year, with numbers expected to grow significantly in the future. "I believe that they will prove to be attractive and relevant for many of the students who study in my department," commented Julie Hinchliffe, Head of Computing & Business Administration at Bradford College.

Stephen Timms has welcomed the new BTEC qualifications, saying:

"We are seeing encouraging growth of e-business solutions among UK businesses and we are moving towards becoming the best place in the world for e-commerce.

"There is, however, further progress to be made; it is the government's aim to make the UK the key global player in e-commerce. Equipping people with the necessary skills to drive forward our e-business capabilities is a vital element in achieving this aim."

BTEC qualifications are practical, work-related courses. Students learn by completing projects and assignments based on realistic workplace situations. In one e-business unit, students are asked, for example, to act as management consultants advising a company on setting up a portal for surfers to access UK nightlife possibilities.

The new BTEC National qualifications in e-business are:

• BTEC National Award in e-Business
• BTEC National Award in e-Business (Applied)
• BTEC National Certificate in e-Business