SkillSoft Introduces Professional Foundations KnowledgeCenter

Latest SkillSoft KnowledgeCenter Provides Fundamental Business and Professional Skills for New Employees

NASHUA, N.H., Jan. 15 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- SkillSoft PLC (Nasdaq: SKIL), a leading SaaS provider of e-learning and performance support solutions for global enterprises, government, education and small- to medium- sized businesses, today announced the availability of its Professional Foundations KnowledgeCenter.

The Professional Foundations KnowledgeCenter -- which joins SkillSoft's library of nineteen pre-packaged, user-friendly KnowledgeCenters that provide learners instant access to trusted, targeted content -- enables entry-level employees as well as those about to enter the workforce to learn the key skills required of new business professionals looking to begin their careers on the right foot or move their careers in a new direction. The Professional Foundations KnowledgeCenter includes an array of resources from SkillSoft's Business Skills and Desktop Skills curricula, Books24x7 Collections, as well as simulations and content from SkillSoft's Business Impact and Challenge Series to help master important skills like personal development, business basics and desktop skills. Topics include a wide range needed in today's business environment, from core skills, such as effective presentations, email etiquette and critical thinking, to interpersonal and team skills such as diffusing conflict, emotional intelligence and communication during organizational change.

"Now more than ever, we are hearing from our customers that even the most well-educated new hires are entering the workforce lacking some of the most basic skills to be successful and productive within their organizations," said John Ambrose, Senior Vice President of Strategy, Corporate Development and Emerging Business at SkillSoft. "SkillSoft assets such as the Business Impact and Challenges Series are designed to alleviate this problem by quickly and effectively getting new hires and transitional employees up to speed. With the introduction of the Professional Foundations KnowledgeCenter we are providing a way for new employees to learn the necessary skills to develop productive and satisfying careers through targeted e-learning solutions."

SkillSoft's Innovation Lab introduced the first KnowledgeCenter in 2004 in response to customers' needs for more targeted resources to meet key business challenges. SkillSoft's Innovation Lab provides dedicated resources to focus on innovative, new ideas in learning. Resources from SkillSoft's Content Development, Engineering and Product Marketing teams work together to create, develop and deploy new solutions for learning to meet the challenges of the changing learning landscape. Each KnowledgeCenter includes material specifically chosen to help learners build knowledge around a targeted subject as quickly and efficiently as possible. Assets include Books24x7; access to SkillSoft courseware, organized into Learning Roadmaps that make it easy for learners to locate the most appropriate courses; simulations (through SkillSim simulations, practice labs, or the Project Center); expert mentoring services (for IT KnowledgeCenters and the PMI and HR KnowledgeCenters); and featured topic spotlights, refreshed regularly, to provide an in-depth focus on particular topical areas.

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. The Books24x7(R) division offers online access to more than 15,000 digitized 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.

    Contacts:
    Donna Keenan                   Lisa Astor
    SkillSoft                      PAN Communications, Inc.
    603.821.3211                   978.474.1900
    Donna_Keenan@SkillSoft.com     SkillSoft@pancomm.com

SOURCE SkillSoft PLC