IDC forecasts worldwide IT training and education market to reach $28.3 billion by 2002

According to a new study published by IDC's IT Training and Education Services research program, the worldwide IT training and education market is expected to experience a healthy growth rate of approximately 11.1%, surpassing $28.3 billion by 2002. In a related study, strong growth within the global IT certification-related training and testing market is estimated to reach $2.1 billion in 2001. From a global perspective, the United States and Western Europe continue to represent the largest markets for IT training and education services. In addition, the small regional markets, such as Latin America, Canada and parts of Asia/Pacific, are illustrating some of the highest growth rates in the worldwide market at greater than 15%. Looking to the U.S. for future trends in the global IT training market, IDC believes that one of today's most important U.S. market trends is the shift in the market toward technology-based training. "The IT training and education environment is a market in transformation," said analysts Ellen Julian and Christianne Moretti. "Changes are occurring on numerous levels, including: the expanding alternatives of how training can be delivered to the customer; the widening number of service and product options bursting on the market; and, the evolving IT training value proposition being presented to the customer." The research also provides new information on the Top 10 Global Providers of IT Training by revenue. IBM Global Services and Oracle Education continue to be the number one and number two ranking providers in 1997. Previously number five, SAP Education rose to number three. CBT Systems rose from number 10 to number nine. IDC's Top 10 list does not include franchise organizations. Strong growth in the worldwide market for IT certification-related training and testing has been fueled by the success of IT vendor and industry association certification programs. Certification training and testing on the emerging technologies, especially on skills associated with the Internet, will spur double-digit growth. Growing competition in the development of new test delivery mechanisms is another key trend that will affect the market in the near term.