This government reform was preceded and supplemented by various initiatives aimed at providing people with company, trade union and employee computers. The best-known of these was the 'LO Computer' launched by the Confederation of Trade Unions. When it was introduced in 1998, some 50,000 blue-collar employees signed up for one almost immediately. As access to and the use of computers tends to vary between different social groupings, the LO Computer and the Government's employee computer reform have played an important part in helping groups that traditionally lag behind in the use of new technology to become better equipped to cope with the demands of the information society and exploit the opportunities it offers. This is a five-year scheme to promote adult education in Sweden.
Computer studies are by far the most popular subject.
Of all AEI students registered in the spring of 1998, some 17 per cent had chosen computer studies. The AEI has also resulted in the emergence of new, flexible work forms, such as distance learning. IT plays an important part here as an educational tool. General IT proficiency among teachers has also been raised as a result of the AEI and other adult education courses. The Government is now planning a special programme for adult education teachers to improve their ability to use IT as an educational aid in teaching.