A LITTLE learning is a profitable thing.

That is what MyKnowledgeMap has proved thousands of times over as the UK's top supplier of online infrastructures for National Skills Academies.

The result has been that the organisation, which now employs 32 people, has had to expand into offices next door in Micklegate, York.

Another outcome is that it is pitching for the Science And Technology Business of the Year in The Press Business Awards 2007.

Its founder-managing director is Rob Arntsen, who held several senior posts within computer giants IBM, including being its learning technology solutions manager.

His firm now offers innovative systems to help organisations and individuals to understand their training needs. It can also follow through with targeted learning programmes.

It has provided skills gap analysis and e-learning systems for many of the UK's Sector Skills Councils, including Skillsmart Retail, Improve, SkillsActive and Energy & Utility Skills.

As well as bespoke training support systems, the firm offers a range of off-the-shelf learning support and management tools.

Now it has created a product called Capability Matrix, a customisable skills gap analysis system, allowing users to pinpoint training needs and skills gaps within their businesses at all levels.

The system has already been implemented within the National Health Service to improve diabetes care skills.

It has also helped more than 1,000 UK retailers to develop their workforce and improve marketing and communications skills.

Nearly 9,000 students throughout Yorkshire will benefit from MyKnowledgeMap's being the major systems provider for the ALPS (Assessment and Learning in Practice Settings) project.

The project will ensure that graduates from a wide range of health and social care courses have the skills needed to be effective in the workplace.

It also enables students to assess their competencies - data which is accessible to them any time and anywhere, via their mobile phones.