Human Resources: Confidence of Learning Executives Continues to Grow

(Alexandria, VA) July 20, 2010 – Learning executives continue to show confidence and optimism about the outlook and expectations for the learning function according to the latest measurement by the American Society for Training & Development (ASTD). The Learning Executive Confidence Index (LXCI) for the second quarter of 2010 increased to its highest score to date after stabilizing in the fourth quarter of 2009 and modestly increasing in the first quarter of 2010.

The current LXCI surveyed 257 learning executives about their expectations in four areas: impact on corporate performance; ability to meet learning needs; status as a key strategic component; and availability of resources. It is modeled on the CEO Confidence Indices reported by Chief Executive Magazine and The Conference Board.

Learning executives’ (LXs) scores in key indices continued their upward climb in the second quarter, suggesting a continued sense of optimism and stabilization in most key areas. After drops at the end of 2008, executive confidence rebounded in the second and third quarters of 2009, plateauing in the fourth quarter. The overall LXCI for the second quarter of 2010 was a record-high 62.0, up 1.0 point over the first quarter of the year. The LXCI is measured on a 100-point scale.

Highlights from the LXCI for the second quarter of 2010 include:
• More than seven in ten LXs anticipated funding for the learning function to increase or remain the same in the next six months.
• Expectations for outsourcing on external services that aid in the learning function showed minor growth, with 29 percent of LXs foreseeing a continuation of the status quo or an increase in outsourcing.
• Close to half of LXs foresee a greater shift in using e-learning/virtual delivery while more than 25 percent predict greater use of Web 2.0 technologies.
• 86 percent of LXs report their industry will remain the same or improve in the next six months.
• 79 percent anticipate their organization’s profits will remain the same or improve.
• A majority of LXs whose companies continue to be negatively impacted by the economy predicted an improvement in their organization’s learning and development expenditure starting in early 2012.

ASTD’s Learning Executive Confidence Index was launched in August 2008 and is designed to assess the outlooks and expectations of learning executives for the next six months.

To find out more about the LXCI, go to http://www.astd.org/content/research/LXCI.htm.

About ASTD
ASTD (American Society for Training & Development) is the world’s largest professional association dedicated to the training and development field. In more than 100 countries, ASTD’s members work in organizations of all sizes, in the private and public sectors, as independent consultants, and as suppliers. Members connect locally in 130 U.S. chapters and with 30 international partners. ASTD started in 1943 and in recent years has widened the profession’s focus to align learning and performance to organizational results, and is a sought-after voice on critical public policy issues. For more information, visit www.astd.org.

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