Research Reveals Learning and Development Now Play Increased Role in the Workplace

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Complimentary Copy of New Report Highlighting How Internal Learning and Development Programs Enable Savings Now Available

NASHUA, N.H.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

SkillSoft PLC (Nasdaq: SKIL), a leading SaaS provider of on-demand e-learning and performance support solutions for global enterprises, government, education and small- to medium-sized businesses, today announced that SkillSoft has cosponsored a benchmark report from Aberdeen Group titled "Achieving Real Business Value with Learning and Development." The report, states that 73 percent of "best-in-class" organizations integrate their learning and development strategy with their overall strategy.

This benchmark report, which considers employee retention, performance and compliance rates for determining "best in class," is a compilation of surveys and interviews of 535 human resources, learning and line of business managers worldwide. Aberdeen selected SkillSoft customer TELUS, a leading national telecommunications company in Canada, as its featured case study for this report. TELUS was selected based on its ability to scale its learning solutions quickly and efficiently, and integrate learning with performance management to achieve measurable business improvement.

"Nearly one-third of all organizations in Aberdeen's survey sample utilize SkillSoft's learning solutions," said Kevin Martin, Vice President and Principal Analyst for Human Capital Management at Aberdeen Group. "Our research found that organizations that utilize SkillSoft's solutions are 27 percent more likely to be satisfied with their learning and development programs than industry average organizations."

The ability to train and teach employees within the organization has always been a top priority and SkillSoft's solutions seek to ease the process of learning and development by providing online texts, tips and directives so employees are not forced to sit through long training sessions.

"Aberdeen Group's findings support the necessity of strong in-house learning and development programs, and we at SkillSoft have helped numerous companies achieve their goals by taking this carefully planned route," said John Ambrose, Senior Vice President of Strategy, Corporate Development & Emerging Business for SkillSoft.

To view the benchmark report in its entirety, please visit: http://www.aberdeen.com/link/sponsor.asp?spid=30410924&cid=5301.

About SkillSoft

SkillSoft PLC (Nasdaq: SKIL) is a leading SaaS provider of on-demand e-learning and performance support solutions for global enterprises, government, education and small to medium-sized businesses. SkillSoft enables business organizations to maximize business performance through a combination of comprehensive e- learning content, online information resources, flexible learning technologies and support services.

Content offerings include business, IT, desktop, compliance and consumer/SMB courseware collections, as well as complementary content assets such as Leadership Development Channel video products, KnowledgeCenter(TM) portals, virtual instructor-led training services and online mentoring services. SkillSoft's Books24x7(R) product offering includes access to over 20,000 IT and business books, as well as book summaries and executive reports. Technology offerings include the SkillPort(R) learning management system, Search-and-Learn(R), SkillSoft(R) Dialogue(TM) and virtual classroom.

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.

SkillSoft, the SkillSoft logo, SkillPort, Search-and-Learn, SkillChoice, Books24x7, ITPro, BusinessPro, OfficeEssentials, GovEssentials, EngineeringPro, FinancePro, AnalystPerspectives, ExecSummaries, ExecBlueprints, Express Guide and Dialogue are trademarks or registered trademarks of SkillSoft PLC in the United States and certain other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners, countries.

Source: SkillSoft PLC

Released October 28, 2008