Canada's training leader wins in the Blended Learning category for partnering with TELUS on a career development initiative, Converged Technology Professional program

TORONTO - Global Knowledge, worldwide leader in IT, business and leadership skills advancement, announced today that it has received an Award for Training Excellence by the Canadian Society for Training and Development (CSTD) in the Blended Learning category. Global Knowledge was recognized for the development of the Converged Technology Professional (CTP) program in collaboration with TELUS, one of Canada's leading telecommunications companies. This award represents Global Knowledge's 10th CSTD award, an unprecedented achievement in Canada.

CSTD is the largest association dedicated to training and HR development, and this highly coveted award is judged on eight criteria: creativity, learning, quality, collaboration, cost effectiveness, efficiency, replication and timeliness.

The CTP program is a career development initiative for TELUS' Customer Solutions Delivery business unit. TELUS created the TELUS CTP program, with Global Knowledge as a key content development partner, which targets technical field skills required to provide world-class customer service and satisfaction. The program recognizes 14 distinct technical roles, each with two or three accreditation levels. Each of their more than 2,300 technicians has access to a personalized learning path of formal and informal learning events.

"I am extremely proud of the long-term partnership that exists between TELUS and Global Knowledge," says Jocelyn Bérard, International Vice President of Leadership and Business Solutions for Global Knowledge. "This award, the second in two years with TELUS, is a testimony to our mission to accelerate customer success by continually improving professionals, leaders and organizations worldwide through relevant learning that engages, inspires and elevates. The CTP Program provides technicians with the enhanced skills required to fulfill their current roles, in learning formats best suited to each, while supporting their individual ownership over career development."

The CTP program has had a significant impact at TELUS. TELUS reports that the CTP program enhances the customer experience (supporting their mission of "Customers First") and has delivered an increase in many key technician field metrics while also reducing cost. Training content is now co-designed and delivered by in-house subject matter experts, resulting in 60 percent ongoing cost savings per year per course.

"As a new division within TELUS in 2011 building an innovative learning program, we started on a journey seeking a key partner to work with that emulated the values and strategic thinking that drives the TELUS team each day," says Michelle Gaites, Director of the National Learning and Development team. "The CTP program would not be where it is today without the collaboration of Global Knowledge; the incredibly personable and professional team at Global Knowledge were clearly the right partners for us, and we are incredibly proud of the CSTD award, along with four other international awards, recognizing the efforts and our partnership in the evolution of CTP."

About Global Knowledge

Global Knowledge is the world's leading IT and business skills training provider and a ten-time CSTD award winner - an industry record. Offering the most relevant and timely content delivered by the best instructors, we provide customers around the world with their choice of convenient class times, delivery methods and formats to accelerate their success. Our business skills solutions teach essential communications skills, business analysis, project management, ITIL service management, process improvement and leadership development. With thousands of courses spanning from foundational training to specialized certifications, our core IT training is focused on technology partners such as Amazon Web Services, Cisco, Citrix, IBM, Juniper, Microsoft, Red Hat and VMware. We offer comprehensive professional development for technologies like big data, cloud, cybersecurity and networking.

Founded in 1995, Global Knowledge employs more than 1,300 people worldwide and is headquartered in Cary, N.C. The company is owned by New York-based investment firm MidOcean Partners. MidOcean recently announced that it has agreed to sell Global Knowledge to investment funds affiliated with Rhône Capital L.L.C.