Skillsoft Announces 2013 Global Skillsoft Perspectives Innovation Award Winners

USO, First Data, TELUS, ACTIVE Network, BT, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and Economical Insurance Recognized for Innovation & Learning Success

ORLANDO, Fla. & NASHUA, N.H.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Skillsoft today announced the winners of its 2013 Innovation Awards at Global Skillsoft Perspectives, its annual user conference. The winners, which include the United Service Organizations (USO), PPD, the largest healthcare insurance company in Michigan, TELUS, ACTIVE Network, Ricoh Americas Corporation, BT, Sysmex, Carrington Mortgage Holdings, LLC, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and Lloyds Banking Group, demonstrate how Skillsoft’s elearning solutions are enabling organizations to improve their performance through a diverse set of innovative learning programs. In addition, Mary Beth Alexander, AVP, organizational development and corporate marketing for Economical Insurance was recognized as Learning Champion of the Year, and First Data was recognized for Program of the Year. Skillsoft is a pioneer in the field of technology-delivered learning with a long history of innovation and delivering solutions for its customers worldwide, ranging from global enterprises, government, and education to mid-sized and small businesses.

The awards were judged by an independent panel of industry experts including Mike Prokopeak of Chief Learning Officer, Catherine Upton of Elearning! Magazine, John Hollon of TLNT.com, Debbie Bolla of HRO Today, Bill Brandon of Learning Solutions Magazine, Andrew McIlvaine of Human Resource Executive, Kris Dunn of HR Capitalist and Fistful of Talent and B.J. Schone of eLearning Weekly.

The 2013 Global Skillsoft Perspectives user conference is a live and interactive forum for Skillsoft customers to gather and discuss innovations in the learning industry. Each year, more than 1,000 attendees from a wide variety of business, governmental and educational organizations network and discuss how to align learning with strategic business objectives and help improve overall performance. Skillsoft annually honors the winners for their significant achievements in corporate learning and development, recognizing innovative ideas and inspiring leaders who are helping to transform the learning landscape.

“This group of exceptional organizations and individuals personifies what it means to make learning integral to everyday business and life,” said John Ambrose, senior vice president, strategy, corporate development and emerging business, Skillsoft. “We are pleased to recognize these leaders and proud to continue working with them as they move ahead on their path toward fully-optimized corporate learning. We look forward to seeing where their learning programs take them in the future.”

The 2013 Innovation Award categories and winners are:

Effective Elearning in Emerging Business: The United Service Organizations (USO) was recognized for their three-tier learning program that engages all USO employees in consistent learning, regardless of geographic location or longevity in the organization. In just six months, the USO realized 312 percent return on investment through their use of Skillsoft learning portal for USO University.

Empowering Learning Cultures in the Enterprise: PPD was honored for its multi-faceted approach to learning to meet the evolving needs of its business and employees. Delivery modes range from traditional instructor-led training to highly innovative approaches such as role playing, gaming, simulations and social learning. An Honorable Mention was awarded to the largest healthcare insurance company in Michigan.

Best Custom Design: TELUS was recognized for their innovative, custom set of 2D and 3D game-based learning environments that include solutions for field service, retail sales, customer service representatives and other targeted audiences. In partnership with Skillsoft, TELUS created a series of interactive learning and gaming solutions.

Inspiring Leadership Development: ACTIVE Network was honored for building a pipeline of leaders by creating the “Bento Box” learning strategy. ACTIVE Network’s “learning Bento Boxes” are a hybrid of Skillsoft and ACTIVE Network proprietary content, with a balanced mix of formal, informal and social learning. An Honorable Mention was awarded to Ricoh Americas Corporation.

Best IT Training: BT was recognized for their new approach to IT skills development in today’s rapidly changing IT environment. BT created a number of flexible learning programs called Accredited Learning Pathways (ALP’s) which combine a mix of informal technical and business awareness skills alongside evidence of on-the-job experience, knowledge sharing and external accreditation.

Enhancing Learning with Services: Sysmex was honored for customizing their leadership portal, in partnership with Skillsoft Solution services, enabling their users to find assets by competency. To increase usage and effectiveness, their portal was personalized to reflect their culture and branding. An Honorable Mention was awarded to Carrington Mortgage Holdings, LLC.

Innovative Collaboration in Learning: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory was recognized for their online learning program, U-Learn, which incorporates social networking tools to facilitate collaboration across organizational boundaries. U-Learn enables social learning outside formal classroom settings, supports and encourages networking among program participants and provides vehicles for ongoing knowledge sharing and feedback between current and past participants.

Learning Champion of the Year: Mary Beth Alexander, AVP, organizational development and corporate marketing, Economical Insurance, was honored for her dynamic vision that engages employees and leaders alike. For the past four years she has earned Economical Insurance placement on the distinguished Training Magazine “Top 125” list of companies that excel at human capital development. An Honorable Mention was awarded to Simon Brown, head of learning transformation, Lloyds Banking Group.

Program of the Year: First Data was recognized for their highly engaging, multi-modal, blended learning strategy aligned to employee competencies and business performance goals. First Data delivers learning to a diverse and globally-dispersed population and leverages Skillsoft assets for more than 80 skills and 100 certifications. The company increased employee development by more than 350 percent by providing targeted blended solutions to meet specified business needs.

For more information on the 2013 Global Skillsoft Perspectives Innovation Awards, please visit http://perspectives.skillsoft.com/2013/index.asp?id=awardsoverview.

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About Skillsoft

Skillsoft is a pioneer in the field of learning with a long history of innovation. Skillsoft provides cloud based learning solutions for its customers worldwide, ranging from global enterprises, government, and education to mid-sized and small businesses. Skillsoft's customer support teams draw on a wealth of in-house experience and a comprehensive learning e-library to develop off-the-shelf and custom learning programs tailored to cost-effectively meet customer needs. Skillsoft's courses, books and videos have been developed by industry leading learning experts to ensure that they maximize business skills, performance, and talent development.

Skillsoft currently serves over 5,000 customers and more than 13,000,000 learners around the world. Skillsoft is on the web at www.Skillsoft.com.

Skillsoft courseware content described herein is for information purposes only and is subject to change without notice. Skillsoft has no obligation or commitment to develop or deliver any future release, upgrade, feature, enhancement or function described in this press release except as specifically set forth in a written agreement.

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Caroline Pennartz, 617-986-5750
Caroline_Pennartz@lpp.com

Source: Skillsoft

Released May 16, 2013