Training provider pushes Asian role
Government policy will lead the out-sourcing of information training in Asia, Anthony Craig, president of Global Knowledge Network (GKN), predicts.
While out-sourcing of information training was well accepted everywhere, in Asia companies liked to keep control, he said in Hong Kong. This was the fundamental difference between training in Asia and the rest of the world.
In-house training created internal costs and training was more effectively done by outside companies.
GKN - a result of the acquisition of Digital's Learning Services Business by the New York-based investment firm of Welsh, Carson, Anderson and Stowe - claims to be one of the world's largest independent training providers and a pioneer in advanced learning techniques such as electronic and on-line training.
The best example of government-led training out-sourcing is in Singapore. After it realised that students knew more about information technology than their teachers, the Singapore Government embarked on a mission to raise the level of computer competency of about 12,000 teachers.
Teachers learn through the Mentys programme, which offers on-line training on the Internet on a time-sharing basis, meaning students can learn at their own pace.
The project was later extended to more than 40,000 information technology (IT) professionals.
The programmes, according to Mr Craig, were changing social patterns. 'Even elderly people can learn,' he said. 'To the others, computer literacy is a competitive social factor.' The trend is catching on in Southeast Asia. In Malaysia, GKN is working with the government on a project to provide training to more than 200,000 teachers.
In China, the government is also beginning to become aware of the need to raise the computer literacy of civil servants. GKN, through its office in Beijing, is working on a project with the ministry of labour.
However, in transitional Hong Kong no such project is under consideration, and Mr Craig said he did not expect any until all political issues were addressed.
The growing government interest in computer training might have a significant long-term impact on the market, Mr Craig said.
He expected to see a consolidation of computer training providers with three or four players holding 50 per cent of the global market. State educational departments would become major competitors.
The appetite for learning services will grow in the next three to four years as industries will need computer-literate staff.
Banks rely heavily on computer technology. Although proprietary about their information and processes, they are large users of outside computer training.
Mr Craig expected a growing demand for computer training from telecommunications companies.
The other emerging trend is the move from vendor to industry accreditation, which GKN is encouraging. 'We should be able to provide people who can be useful for any company,' he said.
A Novell-certified engineer needs another certification to work in a different network environment. Industry certification would broaden knowledge and make people more flexible.
