Xpertise demonstrates significant growth in the UK training market
Over the last year Xpertise, a Microsoft Certified Partner for Learning Solutions (CPLS) has experienced 65% growth in the delivery of training utilising Microsoft official course materials.
Bill Walker, commercial director at Xpertise, wasn’t surprised by the news. “We’ve had a phenomenal year,” says Walker, “and not just in Microsoft technical training, although that remains a strong part of our business.”
Xpertise is one of Microsoft’s longest standing training providers – delivering official Microsoft training since 1994. “We have a strategic focus on accreditation and certification,” says Walker. “Xpertise delivers the UK’s widest range of authorised training courses. So of course, Microsoft training is at the heart of that strategy.”
Xpertise’s continued success in Microsoft training has not hindered expansion into other areas. Over the last few years, Xpertise has introduced a steadily growing range of professional development courses, which include project management, service management, team development and personal development. “Our growth in these areas is even stronger than in it is in technical training,” says Walker. “We’re filling courses as quickly as we can schedule them.”
Xpertise’s growth is nationwide, but the company’s most recently added training centre, in London, is especially successful – it has grown by over 40% during 2004 alone.
Ram Dhaliwal, Training and Certification Manager, Microsoft UK, explained further. “There has been an upturn in the general IT training market as companies recognise the value of getting IT staff dealing with mission critical IT systems correctly trained and certified. The success that CPLS’ are experiencing also stems from their delivery of bespoke, measurable services that deliver quantifiable benefits to a business.”
This is a view with which Walker certainly agrees. “Companies definitely want quantifiable ROI for their training investment. We have been able to provide this, by using tools such as Microsoft Skills Assessment for Organisations - to map their needs precisely and provide training that delivers the maximum benefit.”
Concludes Walker: “Customers vote with their cheque books. The number of people we train demonstrates clearly what our customers think about Xpertise, and the positive impact that our training has on their businesses.”