Training Today: Partnerships and Alliances (Sept./Oct. 2013)

The latest training industry mergers, acquisitions, partnerships, and more.

>> FirstNet Learning andWorkplace Answers (WPA) formed a new partnership to exchange online training course catalogs and deliver new compliance training courses to their respective customers. WPA is a human resource online training company specializing in training programs that address employment law and workplace compliance needs. FirstNet Learning delivers online training solutions in the areas of health and safety, human capital management, defensive driving, and business skills.

>> Online training platform Pluralsight acquired PeepCode, a training resource for professional open-source developers. Pluralsight adds to its 500-course library nearly 100 PeepCode video tutorials in Ruby, JavaScript, Unix, Git, and other open-source staples. PeepCode founder Geoffrey Grosenbach and its network of instructors will steer Pluralsight’s future development of open-source content.

>> Professional Examination Service (ProExam) will develop a work readiness assessment and related digital credentials for the Work Ready Now! work readiness framework, curriculum, and implementation tool kit created by Education Development Center (EDC). ProExam’s system will issue digital micro-credentials, displayed as industry-standard open badges, to youth who demonstrate they have achieved the program’s learning objectives. The assessment first will be delivered in Rwanda, Guyana, and Macedonia.

>> Capella University signed an agreement to develop programs and offerings for the American Nurses Association’s ANA Leadership Institute to advance the preparation and education of nurse leaders. Capella will work with the ANA to develop the curriculum and will power the learning platform for the emerging and developing leader tracks.

Lorri Freifeld
Lorri Freifeld is the editor/publisher of Training magazine. She writes on a number of topics, including talent management, training technology, and leadership development. She spearheads two awards programs: the Training APEX Awards and Emerging Training Leaders. A writer/editor for the last 30 years, she has held editing positions at a variety of publications and holds a Master’s degree in journalism from New York University.