CARY, N.C. and TORONTO - Global Knowledge, worldwide leader in IT and business skills training, today announced that it has been selected by IBM as one of only four IBM Global Training Providers. Following a rigorous selection process, the designation enables Global Knowledge to provide authorized IBM training to professionals worldwide.

With operations centers in North America, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia and an extensive network of partners and affiliates around the world, Global Knowledge will deliver IBM's comprehensive portfolio of software and systems training to drive skills development and certifications for IBM products, including AIX®, Cognos®, DB2®, Power Systems™, Rational®, Tivoli®, and WebSphere®.

"We are honored IBM selected us to be an IBM Global Training Provider, and we're pleased to support IBM in accelerating the growth of skills and the adoption of IBM solutions in the global marketplace," said Brian K. Branson, Global Knowledge president and CEO. "With our global footprint and our extensive experience delivering high-quality and high-impact training and certification preparation programs, we can help professionals around the world gain the knowledge and skills to successfully deploy IBM solutions."

"Global Knowledge will help clients leverage the skill-building resources required to deploy advanced solutions such as mobile, cloud, analytics, and social business," said Bob McDonald, vice president, IBM Training. "Clients will benefit directly from the IBM Global Training Providers while we work collectively to develop the IT leaders of the future and reduce the IT skills gap across the industry."

Authorized IBM software and systems courses from Global Knowledge are available through a suite of delivery methods, including in classrooms worldwide, live over the Internet in virtual classrooms, in on-demand formats, and as private on-site courses that can be tailored to the needs of a student's organization.

About Global Knowledge

Global Knowledge is the worldwide leader in IT and business skills training, with more than 1,500 courses that span foundational and specialized training and certifications. Our core training is focused on Cisco, Microsoft, Avaya, VMware, Red Hat, IBM, business process improvement, and leadership development. We deliver via training centers, private facilities, and the Internet, enabling our customers to choose when, where, and how they want to receive training programs and learning services.

Founded in 1995, Global Knowledge employs more than 1,300 people worldwide and is headquartered in Cary, NC. The company is owned by New York-based investment firm MidOcean Partners.