The project aims to achieve three overall goals: first, to provide a synthesis of training provision that presently exists in the border corridor; two, to identify the training needs gap in the border corridor; three, to monitor changing training and development needs in response to economic developments. Achievements: The complexity of training provision and funding arrangements on both sides of the border impacts significantly on economic development in the areas, according theresearch undertaken by the University of Ulster. The study into the provision of skills training in the Irish Border Corridor was conducted by academics at the Faculty of Business and Management.The primary objective of the study was to provide an overview of current skills training provision for the underemployed, long term unemployed, returners to work, people with disabilities, members of the traveller community and those running small and micro-businesses within border counties. Dr Emily Boyle, one of the 4 academics from the faculty involved in the project said that because of the complexity of provision, there is a serious need for a centralized point of access of information for all the training courses currently offered for these groups in the area. To this end the team has developed and online database and complied a comprehensive report about the provision.“To help simplify the picture for those seeking training in the border counties, an online database facility www.bordertraining.com offering access to a comprehensive directory of training courses and can provide information to both training providers and the target groups. The website is user friendly and simple to operate, it provides all the information needed to enable potential trainees to make an informed decision about a course and its relevance to their needs.” said Dr Boyle. The second outcome of the study is a report which identifies the skills training provision on the border area both on a group-by-group basis and on a county-by-county basis, making it easier to reference. It reveals which groups and areas have better training provision than others and pockets of social disadvantage can be identified. Dr Boyle continued; “We have established that a key factor affecting economic development in border areas is a general lack of training and educational qualifications which in turn inhibits employability. The changing context for skilling and development has opened up a need for training for small businesses and for workers in non-standard forms of employment.”