Press release

Tablets, smartphones and new business skills

London » 06 Jan 2012 » Training Press Releases » Learning Technologies and Learning and Skills Exhibitors

Tablets, smartphones and new business skills, 2012 is the year for digital learning ~ ILX Group predicts 2012 business learning trends

With all of the ups and down across the business and political world during the last year, what can we expect for 2012? We asked the top executives and trainers from ILX to take a few minutes and provide their top learning predictions for the coming year.

1. Consumer IT and learning

In line with IT analysts’ expectations and following the iPhone and iPad vanguard, 2012 will see increased adoption of smartphones and tablet PCs across the world by both consumers and business – creating a major opportunity for innovative business training. Pricing on these devices will continue to fall as competition increases and as open-source operating systems grow their market share. Challenges of integrating these devices securely into business environments will remain as proof of concepts expand into company-wide programmes.

2. Going further than just PRINCE2 – APMP

Many HR and training managers are under the illusion that generic project management training or accreditation will deliver all the necessary skillsets. PRINCE2 is a good start yet it is essential for candidates to also have practical knowledge of how to adopt this methodology. This is where APMP qualifications, that provide skills including programme management, portfolio management, project context and budgeting and cost management, comes into play.

Recent research by the recent Salaries and Day Rates Review for Project Management Personnel, based on the 2011 Project Management Benchmark Report from recruitment specialists Arras People, shows that project and programme managers could earn up to £10,000 more per year if they hold the Association for Project Management’s APMP qualification.

Project managers looking to differentiate themselves in a challenging 2012 job market will begin to take up APMP training in greater and greater numbers.

3. Continued growth of e-learning

The continued economic stagnation in the UK, high levels of unemployment, and the lack of certainty in the Eurozone should increase the demand for hard business skills training, particularly in the IT sector. At the same time, continued financial pressure means that cost-effectiveness is an imperative.

ILX Group has seen major growth in its e-learning courses throughout 2011 and this is certainly set to continue in 2012. Reduced learning time and an increased effectiveness through higher knowledge retention will continue to spread e-learning as a fun, cost-effective alternative to traditional classroom training.

4. Gold-medal winning projects

London 2012 will be a major opportunity for the project management community to celebrate world-class projects and The Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) has chosen the Association for Project Management (APM) as one of the official Learning Legacy partners.

ILX Group will be ensuring its trainers and students reap the benefit of the lessons learned from the construction of the London 2012 Olympic Games.

5. Professionalisation of IT

Pressures on IT departments persist as technology has become a vital element in almost all businesses. Training to support best practice IT Service Management (ITSM) derives enormous benefits for organisations, often aligning IT services with the needs of the business. Because ITSM is driven both by technology and the huge range of organisational environments in which it operates, it is in a state of constant evolution. Best practice, based on expert advice and input from ITIL users is both current and practical, combining the latest thinking with sound, common sense guidance.

ITIL and the growing ISO/IEC 27000 family of standards will see increased uptake in 2012.

Ken Scott, chief executive of ILX Group, commented: “2011 has been a challenging time for many organisations and the New Year is a great time for reflection on what worked, what didn’t and what strategies may make a difference in 2012. Training is a vital element of business change programmes and ILX Group has also been reflecting on how it can continue to be a long term learning partner to both individuals and organisations. Whatever the training requirement, from the latest project management methodology to new courses we’ll be announcing in 2012, ILX’s highest levels of expertise within its software, training and consulting divisions, will ensure the continued effectiveness of learning.”

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About ILX Group plc.

ILX Group plc (ILX), is a software enabled Best Practice training company. ILX provides flexible training and consulting services in programme and project management, IT service management and business finance through a blend of multi-media e-learning, games and simulations, mobile learning, traditional classroom training, practical workshops and coaching. The AIM quoted company delivers services aligned to the industry Best Practice of the Cabinet Office and the Association for Project Management, primarily in PRINCE2®, MSP® and ITIL®. All of its training materials and quality systems are accredited (as appropriate) by The APM Group, the Association for Project Management (APM), the British Computer Society (ISEB), the British Standards Institute (BSI), the UK Accreditation Service (UKAS) and the Chartered Management Institute (CMI).

To date, ILX Group has trained over 500,000 people across 97 countries

ILX Group’s expertise fall into three markets:

• Best Practice for Portfolio, Programme, Project and IT Service Management, to include strategic programme and project management consulting solutions, instructor-led training and e-learning.
• Financial awareness through both e-learning and instructor-led training.
• The development of bespoke training courses through e-learning and instructor-led training, for large-scale IT migration and transformation projects. 

Founded in 1988, ILX has over 5,000 corporate clients which include those in local and national government, the public sector and commercial businesses across all sectors.  The company has offices in the UK, Middle East, Holland, Scandinavia, Australia and the USA.

To keep up to date with all the latest news and January 2012 event developments, visit www.learningtechnologies.co.uk and www.learningandskillsevents.com.

The combination of Learning Technologies and Learning and Skills, on 25-26 January at Olympia in London, provides access to more than 200 exhibitors and over 120 free-of-charge seminars and is the must attend event for all learning and development professionals.