e-Learning Programme for Hays' Contractors

Hays PLC
6 April 2000


IT CONSULTANTS SET TO BECOME E-WINNERS IN IT RECRUITMENT E-LEARNING
DRIVE

Britain's IT consultants are set to benefit from a groundbreaking new
online learning initiative announced today by Hays IT, the leading IT
recruitment company.

The e-learning programme will be free for all Hays IT Contractors after
a qualifying period, and is forecast to completely overturn traditional
methods of training, improving IT consultants' skill set and ability to
cope with ever more complicated challenges.  The service will be made
possible through a major partnership with SmartForce, the world's
leading provider of interactive Internet based training.

Hays IT's pioneering Contractor Care programme will offer its clients
state-of-the-art e-learning opportunities, with a choice of over 150
online courses and a variety of online seminar events.

As e-learning is available on the Internet, twenty-four hours a day,
seven days a week, IT contractors can learn at a time and a place
convenient for them, with training tailored to their specific skills
requirements.

Online training will also prepare Hays IT's Contractors for Microsoft
and Novell industry certifications, as well as build Cisco and web
development skills critical for the future of the UK's e-commerce
industry.

e-learning provides access to ongoing resources such as white papers,
the latest articles and web links, so that Hays IT's Contractors are
always up to date with the latest information.  They will also have the
opportunity to share knowledge and experiences through discussion
groups and chat rooms.

Nick Cox, Managing Director of Hays IT, commented: 'We believe e-
learning is the future of education, offering the freedom to learn when
and where you want.  Our innovative Contractor Care programme offers
our clients opportunities for upskilling in a convenient and accessible
environment, giving them a competitive advantage in a fast changing
business world, and rewarding them for their loyalty and commitment.'

Hays IT is part of Hays Personnel Services, the UK's largest specialist
recruitment consultancy and one of the three major divisions of Hays
plc, a FTSE 100 listed business to business services group with a
market capitalisation of £6.4 billion.

Notes to Editors

1.        Hays Personnel Services, one of Europe's leading recruitment
          consultancies, employs over 2,000 consultants in 10 countries,
          providing global HR and recruitment solutions.  Hays IT is one of
          the top five IT recruitment companies in both the UK and Europe,
          with over 250 employees and a £150 million turnover.  It has an
          extensive and sophisticated database of IT consultants covering
          every skill area, supplying permanent and contract personnel to
          organisations in all areas of industry, commerce, banking and
          finance, and the public sector.
          
2.        SmartForce, the e-learning company, provides integrated enterprise
          e-learning solutions, bringing the power of the Internet to the
          critical training business process.  The company's comprehensive
          library covers a range of information technology topics, as well as
          education on business, management, and professional development.
          
3.        The Contractor Care programme is free to contractors who have
          worked for Hays IT for a qualifying period.