Skillsoft provides skills for tomorrow

Rapid shifts in the nature of work and the workforce – due to the emergence of remote teams, digital-first strategies, and global disruption – have made skills transformation more critical for success than ever before. In fact, according to a 2020 McKinsey Global Survey, 80 percent of executives are experiencing skills gaps in the workforce. The new capabilities and products that Skillsoft is launching will enable organisations to enhance upskilling and reskilling initiatives, deepen their talent pipeline, keep pace with evolving business needs, and meet pressing skill gaps. 

“The pandemic has accelerated shifts in the workplace that were already in motion from advances in technology. In response, companies across industries are rethinking their talent and skills pipeline, both internally and externally,” said Mark Onisk, Chief Content Officer, Skillsoft. “Skillsoft is meeting organisations where their needs are, with learning solutions that address new skills around cloud, cybersecurity, and data and content that reinforces leadership agility, workforce safety, and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Today’s launches, which reflect the integration of Global Knowledge’s content and solutions, further advance our ability to close skill gaps and provide learners with immersive, personalised learning experiences.”

Following Skillsoft’s June 2021 acquisition of Global Knowledge, Skillsoft benefits from one of the broadest and deepest technology & developer offerings in the corporate digital learning industry. As a result, Skillsoft customers can now access a combined offering of nearly 28,000 contact hours of instruction, including a blend of virtual and on-demand courses, instructor-led training, hands-on labs, and real-world challenges, and coverage across more than 170 technical certifications. The Skillsoft technology & developer library includes mission-critical, vendor-authorised content through Skillsoft’s partnerships with many of the world’s largest technology companies, including Microsoft, Cisco, Amazon Web Services, and others, as well as expert-authored original content, across six key areas: cloud, cybersecurity, software craft, programming, data, and IT infrastructure.

Enabling the Skills of a Future-Fit Workforce and the Jobs of Tomorrow

To meet accelerating demand for new skills and abilities in the workforce, Skillsoft is focused on continually enhancing its content offerings and solutions to equip enterprises and talent with a future-fit skill set. With this in mind, the platform features, content, and courses announced today include: 

• Sharpen Cloud Skills in a Safe, Scored Environment: Skillsoft

• Challenge Labs, delivered in partnership with Learn

• on Demand Systems, provide teams with safe and genuine AWS or Microsoft

• Azure cloud environments to practice and master newfound skills. These scenario-based, hands-on, scored learning experiences enable technologists to “learn while doing” and are designed for varying experience levels. Topics include hundreds of AWS, Azure, and

• hybrid deployment labs, with Google Cloud Platform, security, data, and developer-focused topics coming this year. 

• Emphasising Storytelling and Connection in New DEI Curriculum: Skillsoft’s

• new Diversity,

• Equity, and Inclusion In Action curriculum

• is designed to be impactful, inspirational, and experiential, enabling organisations and their employees to nurture and sustain a culture that appreciates and champions diversity, equity,

• and inclusion. Highlighting real

• stories,

• Skillsoft seeks to inspire and empower individuals, while guided facilitation and discussion prompt reflection and building new, informed perspectives. Through

• raw, first-hand accounts of discrimination and bias, these courses help turn a mandatory compliance activity into an opportunity to build empathy and understanding and achieve true and sustained behavior change.

• Embracing the Changing Nature of Customer Service:

• Skillsoft is adding eight new customer

• service courses created to equip customer service representatives (CSRs) with the skills

• needed to understand customers on a deeper level, create positive engagements, and drive positive outcomes. Developed in partnership with NueBridge,

• a global consulting and advisory firm focused on customer experience, these courses use a scenario-based approach to maximise learner engagement and retention, and are intended for both new and seasoned CSRs. 

“In today’s skills economy, there is a heavy focus on individual skills, rather than the needs of an individual or a team’s complete learning journey,” said Jim Lundy, CEO, Aragon Research. “Together with Global Knowledge, Skillsoft provides the blended and experiential learning resources needed to nurture comprehensive learning journeys beyond simply piecing together a collection of hard skills.