TEACHING TAX PROFESSIONALS TO TYPE

When Price Waterhouse computerised its Tax Practice, 400 tax professionals needed to learn efficient keyboarding. The self‐teach typing tutorial loaded onto each staff member′s personal computer was not used sufficiently for staff to gain a high level of proficiency. One of the training units was asked to propose a cost effective method of training, bearing in mind constraints of time, cost and delivery method. Using battery operated keyboards and training secretarial staff to teach keyboarding skills, the 400 staff were trained in tutor‐led programmes lasting 16 hours each, in London and the regional offices. The project lasted 6 months and resulted in 91 per cent of trainees reaching a speed of more than 15 words per minute at 90 per cent accuracy in the 16 hours of tuition. The management consultancy division has now requested similar training.