SkillSoft Sponsors In-Depth Learning and Development Report

An e-Learning Leader and Aberdeen Offer Complimentary Access to Report that Explores How to Align your Workforce with Business Objectives

NASHUA, N.H., Oct. 3 /PRNewswire/ -- SkillSoft PLC (Nasdaq: SKIL), a leading provider of e-learning and performance support solutions for global enterprises, government, education, and small to medium-sized businesses, today announced that it has underwritten the development of a detailed learning and development study by the Aberdeen Group. This richly detailed report explores how organizations are turning human capital into a competitive advantage through organizational learning and development.

"This new report provides a roadmap for companies looking to improve productivity and alignment of the workforce by adopting best practices in learning strategies," said John Ambrose, Senior Vice President of Strategy, Corporate Development & Emerging Business for SkillSoft. "Readers will gain valuable insight into the key steps to a successful development model."

For a complimentary copy of "Learning and Development: Aligning Workforce with Business Objectives," visit http://www.aberdeen.com/link/sponsor.asp?spid=30410924&cid=4120

"Our research shows that learning and development is taking on a more strategic role across the enterprise as organizations look toward human capital as a means to establish competitive advantage," said Kevin Martin, Research Director, Human Capital Management at Aberdeen Group. "Companies that achieved Aberdeen's Best-in-Class status are not only targeting learning and development efforts to key internal and external stakeholders, but also are leveraging learning into critical pre- and post-hire initiatives in order to maximize their ability to attract, retain and develop top talent."

Researchers at the Aberdeen Group surveyed and interviewed 687 organizations globally for the study. The Aberdeen Group found that those businesses embracing a best-in-class training approach were 95 percent more likely to improve customer satisfaction, 77 percent more likely to improve employee performance, and 65 percent more likely to improve workforce turnover. These organizations were characterized as those that had a learning and development strategy that had buy-in and support from senior management and was integrated with the organization's overall strategic plan; actively promoted learning programs to those who can benefit from participating; and had integrated learning with both performance management and assessments.

The paper explores issues such as competitive assessment, the necessary shift toward learning and development, organizational capabilities, and technology enablers. It further outlines step-by-step guidance for companies in all stages of learning and development, from laggard to industry average to best-in-class, as to how to spur necessary performance improvements.

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) virtual classroom, and SkillView(R) competency management software.

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                Rebecca Parkhurst
    SkillSoft                   PAN Communications, Inc.
    603.821.3211                978.474.1900
    Donna_Keenan@SkillSoft.com  SkillSoft@pancomm.com

SOURCE SkillSoft PLC

Released October 3, 2007