reed.co.uk and SkillSoft join forces to improve access to IT training

Contact: Nina Michell, SkillSoft +44 (0)1276 401950 nina_michell@skillsoft.com

10th November 2010 Sian Glennane The Whiteoaks Consultancy +44 (0)1252 727313 siang@whiteoaks.co.uk

reed.co.uk - the UK's number one job site, and SkillSoft, one of the world leaders in eLearning for IT professionals, today announced a partnership which will broaden access to quality training for those pursuing a career in IT.

The new partnership gives reed.co.uk's 3 million monthly visitors access to IT training, with industry recognised certifications from some of the world's leading technology vendors, including Microsoft, Cisco and Oracle.

Courses, which range from Helpdesk to Project Management, are designed to suit all levels of experience, as well as those looking to change careers, and have been designed to ensure students receive the highest quality training and maximum value for their time and money.

reed.co.uk’s team of Learning Consultants will offer potential students an obligation-free consultation to discuss their career objectives, work experience and training requirements, as well as provide free advice on the courses available.

All courses are delivered online, and come with interactive exercises, simulations, test preparation, and mentored support from real-life experts.

Martin Warnes, Managing Director at reed.co.uk explains:

“Jobseekers increasingly require broader access to education to help them get ahead in their career, so we’re excited to be working with SkillSoft as the training provider of choice for IT certification training. “

“Not only is SkillSoft a leader in eLearning for IT professionals, but their comprehensive, interactive, self-paced training is used by many of the world's leading corporations. Users of reed.co.uk can now gain industry recognised certifications through online learning to best suit their lifestyle and needs.”

A report this year by IT sector skills council e-skills UK indicates that the number of IT professionals employed in the UK is expected to grow at an average of four times the average national rate, while employers in the IT sector face a shortage of applicants with the required skills, qualifications and experience.

Warnes continues:

“Technology remains one of the key growth areas for jobs in the UK and, right now, jobseekers understand the value of investing in their skills to take advantage of the opportunities the sector offers.”

While IT certifications are critical to many businesses, especially IT service providers, many organisations find it impractical for staff to attend classes.

Kevin Young, Managing Director at SkillSoft EMEA, comments:

“Unlike a regular classroom session, SkillSoft IT resources can be accessed on demand and when the need arises, so IT experts quickly recognise their value as a productivity tool.”

"Our partnership with reed.co.uk will enable SkillSoft to better reach a broad community of IT professionals, giving them the opportunity to gain career-specific certifications in a convenient and timely way."

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About reed.co.uk
reed.co.uk is the UK’s number one online recruitment service. reed.co.uk enables jobseekers to search over 95,000 jobs from more than 8,000 recruiters across 42 industry sectors.

Registered jobseekers can receive email job alerts, save searches and make their details available to a range of recruiters, including Reed’s network of trained recruitment consultants.

Recruiters of all types benefit from reed.co.uk’s range of innovative online recruitment solutions, including: online job posting and applicant management; job posting with Guaranteed Response; CV Search; targeted branding and email services.

ABCe audited traffic figures for reed.co.uk (January 2010):
Unique Users/Browsers: 3,061,831
Page Impressions: 61,183,688
Online Job Applications: 1,683,008

For press enquiries, please contact Mark Rhodes on 020 7067 4582

About SkillSoft
SkillSoft EMEA, headquartered in Surrey, is a division of 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. SkillSoft enables business organisations to maximise 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 more than 20,000 digitised 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.