Training Outsourcing to Change Landscape of the Training Industry; IDC Completes Report on User Needs and Requirements for IT Training

Business Wire,  Feb 13, 1996  

Tags: information technology, International Data Corp., training

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FRAMINGHAM, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 13, 1996--Training outsourcing, or companies seeking external resources for their training functions, will change the current landscape of the training industry, according to a new report from International Data Corporation (IDC).

The integration of work and technology is contributing to the growing need for technical training and education in many corporations today. IDC research reveals many organizations are finding it difficult to maintain the breadth and depth of skills necessary to implement their information technology (IT) investments, and they are looking to outside vendors to help them meet this challenge.

IDC defines training outsourcing as the management of the ongoing operation of the training function to meet the organization's learning goals. "By outsourcing training, companies make use of the skills, tools, practices, processes, and infrastructure that leading training and learning suppliers have developed," said Ellen Julian, IDC's senior analyst for IT training and education services research. "These services are invaluable to companies that are facing skills shortages or simply want to develop continuous learning programs for their staff."

The report is based on survey data obtained from information systems (IS) managers and business unit managers with buying authority for technical training and education. In 1995, respondents said outside training suppliers are more knowledgeable on new technology and have more resources available to provide training than internal resources. Additional findings from this new report reveal spending on technical training as a percentage of the overall IS budget will grow from 3.8 percent in 1994 to 4.9 percent in 1996. Technical training spending for business unit managers accounted for 3.9 percent of their overall budgets in 1994, rising to 4.5 percent in 1996. This research also indicates training per person is growing at an aggressive pace. Per-person spending increased 11 percent from 1994 to 1995 for IS staff and 20 percent for business unit staff.

This report, 1995 User Needs and Requirements for IT Training (IDC #10865), provides a comprehensive analysis of customer needs and requirements within the U.S. IT training and education market. It incorporates a detailed consideration of the attitudes and buying behaviors of the both the IS and business unit customer base. These factors include market drivers, decision-making and spending patterns, selection criteria for external training suppliers, preferences for course delivery methods, and obstacles to meeting training needs. It is available for purchase by contacting Cheryl Toffel at (800) 343-4952. For additional information about IDC's IT training and education services research program, please contact Elizabeth Freedman at (508) 935-4764.

About IDC

International Data Corporation is the world's leading provider of information technology data, analysis, and consulting. With research centers in 40 countries and more than 300 research analysts worldwide, IDC is uniquely positioned to provide a global perspective on IT market and technology trends.

IDC's subsidiary, IDC/LINK, specializes in the convergence of the information, telecommunications, personal computing, and electronic entertainment industries.

Based in Framingham, Mass., IDC is a subsidiary of International Data Group (IDG), the world's largest publisher of computer-related information and the leading global provider of information services on information technology. -0-

All product and company names may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.

CONTACT: Elizabeth Freedman

(508) 935-4764

Internet: bfreedman@idcresearch.com

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