Largest E-Learning Organization for Christian Community Targets 10m Learners
NASHUA, N.H., Dec. 4 /PRNewswire/ -- SkillSoft Corp. (Nasdaq: SKIL), a
leading provider of critical business skills training for e-Learning
solutions, today announced that it has signed a distribution agreement with
Christian University GlobalNet (CUGN), a non-profit organization that
facilitates distributed learning within institutions of higher learning and
Christian-centered ministries. Christian University GlobalNet will include
SkillSoft courses covering a variety of topics related to business,
leadership, and management in its 350-course catalog.
With more than a million users, SkillSoft provides business and
professional development training to hundreds of Global 2000 organizations
that have incorporated e-Learning into their training initiatives. The
largest in the soft skills e-Learning market, the SkillSoft library consists
of more than 385 courses in more than 20 different curricula categories.
These include functional areas such as project management, communication
skills, and customer service, as well as business topics such as finance,
marketing and sales, and e-business. Additionally, SkillSoft has developed
138 courses customized for the U.K. market.
"We are very proud to have been selected by Christian University GlobalNet
for our business content," said Chuck Moran, CEO and president of SkillSoft.
"This partnership demonstrates two important points. First is the wide demand
for business and professional skills training, and second is the tremendous
practical value of e-Learning in a global educational initiative."
"Our learners are leaders, and they want the best training available in
business, management, and leadership skills. SkillSoft's content allows us to
provide this important foundation training, while supplementing the material
with reflective questions and guidance from a Christ-centered perspective,"
said Evan Morgan, CEO and president of Christian University GlobalNet.
Affiliated with the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities, CUGN
was founded in 1998 to serve the educational needs of Christian colleges and
seminaries worldwide, as well as members of Christian organizations and
churches. CUGN relies on state-of-the-art educational methods and computer
technology to provide affordable and accessible education to learners
worldwide. The organization administers more than 100 accredited Christian
distance-learning programs, sponsored by institutions such as Dallas Baptist
University, Oral Roberts University, Taylor University Worldwide Campus, and
Fuller Theological Seminary. Christian University GlobalNet also serves a
growing number of ministry partners, including Marriage Alive, Youth for
Christ, the Association of Christian Schools, and Mothers of Preschoolers.
Market Size for e-Learning
Research firm IDC estimates that the corporate market for e-Learning,
encompassing both IT and business skills training, will exceed $2 billion in
2000 and $11 billion by 2003 -- an 83% compound-interest growth rate over the
previous five years. Revenues from business skills (non-IT) training today
account for 22% of the total e-Learning market. With projected revenues
exceeding $6 billion, the fast-growing business skills segment is predicted to
capture more than 50% of the e-Learning market by 2003.
About SkillSoft Corp.
With more than one million user seats, SkillSoft is one of the largest
providers of e-Learning solutions for Global 2000 companies. SkillSoft
courses cover a broad variety of critical professional and business skills;
courses and support services are specifically designed to reap the benefits
offered by the Internet and Web-based customer environments. This design
enables SkillSoft users to access needed material, with the required
specificity or breadth -- any time and from any location with access to the
Internet. Customers receive comprehensive learning and performance support
solutions for their workforce, comprised of a library of more than 385 courses
and more than 5,000 learning objects and 1,000 job aids. The library
encompasses a wide array of business skills, such as management, leadership,
communication, project management and customer service, as well as business
subjects such as e-business, finance, marketing, sales, and strategy.
Additional information about SkillSoft is available by calling 603-324-3000 or
visiting www.skillsoft.com.
Safe harbor language: This release may include information that could
constitute forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor
provision of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Any such
forward-looking statements may involve risk and uncertainties that could cause
actual results to differ materially from any future results encompassed within
the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to
such differences include those matters disclosed under the heading "Risk
Factors" in the Company's Form S-1 filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission
SkillSoft, SkillPort, RolePlay, and Search-and-Learn are trademarks of
SKILLSOFT CORP. All brand names, trademarks, or registered trademarks are the
property of their respective holders.
SOURCE SkillSoft Corp.
CONTACT: Dennis Brown, Director, Marketing Communications, of SkillSoft,
603-324-3000, or dbrown@skillsoft.com; or Carl Nelson of NEI Communications,
508-651-3100, ext. 102, or cnelson@neicommunications.com, for SkillSoft/
