Skillsgroup PLC - Re Internet Training Courses

RNS Number:7003H
Skillsgroup PLC
22 March 2000

                        Skillsgroup plc

          QA to provide IT training via the Internet
             as part of strategy for qaglobal.com

QA  -  the  IT training and resourcing business of Skillsgroup
plc - today announced plans to provide a complete range of  IT
training courses via the Internet.  In order to do so,  it  is
to work closely with DigitalThink, a California-based provider
of  e-learning solutions, and Fifth Era Knowledge Corporation,
a  leading  North  American provider of  on-line  Intellectual
Property  (IP).  The delivery of training via the Internet  is
an    important   aspect   of   Skillsgroup's   strategy   for
qaglobal.com.

QA  and  Fifth Era will work closely together via a  strategic
alliance  to re-engineer QA's current  instructor-led-training
courses, using Fifth Era's Incode technology, to enable  their
delivery via the Internet.

Through  its  agreement with DigitalThink, QA will  separately
offer 170 new online courses from 24th April 2000.  From  this
date,  companies and individuals will have access to  a  wide-
ranging catalogue of training courses which are delivered over
the  Internet.  Each course has been specifically created  for
the Internet using a host of innovative features.

The  agreements  with  Fifth  Era  and  DigitalThink  are  key
elements of Skillsgroup's strategy for qaglobal.com.  The  aim
is  to  establish  qaglobal.com as  the  leading  provider  of
integrated  training  solutions to major  organisations  on  a
world-wide basis.  Solutions will be provided through a  best-
of-breed  Learning  Management System  (LMS)  which  comprises
training consultancy methodology, systems capability, standard
and tailored learning content.  qaglobal.com aims to establish
its  LMS  as  the industry standard for the management  of  IT
training.  This objective will be achieved in part through the
provision  of training via the LMS, which combines the  proven
skills and intellectual capital of QA - the UK's number one IT
training  company - with expertise from partner  organisations
world-wide.

Commenting on the announcement, Rob Burnham, QA Group Managing
Director said:

"The addition of new web-based courses to QA's portfolio is an
essential building block within our strategy for qaglobal.com.
Our  overall  aim is to take QA's leading market  position  in
instructor-led  training  and  use  its  brand  strength   and
intellectual  capital  to  develop  and  deliver  a   complete
Learning   Management  System.   This   will   provide   major
corporations  with  a  solution to their  world-wide  training
needs.   In  partnering other best-of-breed suppliers  of  web
technologies,  business process skills and training  services,
QA will become the leading training solutions integrator".


Further information is available from:
Skillsgroup plc                            Ludgate Communications
Rob Burnham - QA Group Managing Director   Reg Hoare
Colin Gibson - Group Finance Director      Edward Macquisten
Web site: www.skillsgroup.co.uk
01625 591200                               0171 253 2252

About Fifth Era
Fifth  Era is a private Alberta corporation based in  Calgary,
currently being acquired by Scyther Corporation, (SYR:  CDNX).
For  eight  years,  Fifth  Era has established  itself  as  an
innovator  in  the  creation  and  Internet  distribution   of
advanced technology intellectual property, delivering advanced
technology training and consulting services into the corporate
training  market.   Its  one  hundred  international   clients
include  Intel  Corporation, Nations Bank,  US  Department  of
Defense,  Simon Fraser University, Lockheed Martin  and  Telus
Communications.

Fifth   Era's   Incode  (Internet  Content  Delivery   Engine)
technology  enables IP to be converted for  delivery  via  the
Internet.  Incode raises the current level of Internet content
through  the  use  of  engaging video,  audio,  animation  and
graphics.

About DigitalThink
DigitalThink  is  listed  on Nasdaq  and  provides  e-learning
solutions  to  Fortune 1000 companies. DigitalThink  offers  a
fully integrated solution that combines course content aligned
with  business  objectives,  compelling,  results-oriented  e-
learning experience and fully integrated technologies that are
completely outsourced. DigitalThink solutions can include  any
combination  of  existing off-the-shelf  courseware  or  fully
customized content. Customers who have deployed DigitalThink e-
learning solutions include Cisco Systems, Adobe Systems,  KPMG
and Charles Schwab & Co.

About QA
QA  is the IT training and resourcing business of Skillsgroup.
As  the UK's largest IT training company, QA provides over 400
courses  across  three  core skills  areas:  professional,  IT
technical  and IT certification.  These courses are  delivered
through eleven dedicated training centres, at client sites and
via training materials published by QA.  In 1999, QA generated
revenues  of  more than #100 million and employed  around  470
staff.

About Skillsgroup
Skillsgroup   is  an  information  technology  company   which
operates   through  clearly  focused  service  and   solutions
businesses.   1999 was a year of considerable achievement  for
Skillsgroup  with four important strategic acquisitions  at  a
total  cost  of  #81.7  million marking a further  significant
stage in the transition to a high quality, high margin, skills-
based  business.   The  Group  generated  revenues  of  #198.7
million in 1999 and employs over 850 people.

The  Group's  trading  businesses and brands  are  QA,  Pontis
Consulting and Acuma.

END


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