In recent months there have been several significant learning services contracts. From mid-2008 to mid-2012, growth in learning services was adversely impacted by the recession with learning being one of the easiest budget items to cut back on and in many instances put completely on hold. However from mid-2012 to date there has been an increased level of contract activity.

Looking at some recent contracts, starting with Raytheon Professional Services (RPS). In H1 2013 RPS announced

• A simulation-based training endorsement by the American Heart Association (AHA). Simulation-based training will be available to the AHA's ~5,000 member hospitals and care organizations
• A multi-million dollar contract with General Motors in Korea to manage content development and training administration services for GM Korea's sales, non-technical after sales and technical dealer personnel

In July 2013 GP Strategies was awarded a multi-year, multi-million dollar global LBPO services contract with HSBC. Initial deployment is planned for the U.S., Canada, U.K. and Hong Kong. Additional geographies will be deployed through September 30, 2014. Once fully implemented and deployed across HSBC affiliates globally, GP Strategies anticipates that HSBC will be its largest client.

NelsonHall is in the process of completing its 5th global Learning BPO market analysis and has learned of several other vendors, including Xerox Learning Services Accenture, IBM and Aon Hewitt, winning LBPO contracts recently. Verticals where we are seeing activity include retail, telecoms, oil & gas, and hi-tech.

Why the increased activity? The market analysis will provide a deep dive, but for now a few reasons include:

• Job skill development
• Investment in talent, including leadership development
• Improved business results

Is your company making an investment in learning and are you doing it internally or with the help of an outsourcing provider?