A WEBSITE that offers information and guidance on education and training opportunities across Wales has been awarded one of the top accolades at the UK's premier New Media awards.

The Be Skilled website was one of only three singled out as winners in the education category of the New Statesman and BT New Media Awards 2001.

Fighting off competition from over 70 nominations, www.beskilled.net was praised for being easy to use, attractive, popular and appealing to both young people and adults alike.

The site, which has only been online for nine months, was developed to help individuals and businesses access accurate, customised information on the education and training courses on offer in Wales. Developed by Jamie Brice, Stuart Fitzgerald and Nick Lee, of ELWa (Education and Learning Wales) in conjunction with Cardiff Bay-based website design company Imaginet, www.beskilled.net currently enjoys over 10,000 visits a month and has plans to further enhance its user friendliness and site services over the next few months.

ELWa director of participation and communication, George McKechnie said: "We have developed the site so that it contains a variety of interactive and dynamic features with a range of key elements such as a searchable vacancies database and frequently asked questions."

The site was also commended for all its on and off-line communications, including a banner advertising campaign over a wide range of target sites and a comprehensive PR programme.

The award was presented by employment minister Tessa Jowell.