Learning executives' optimism and confidence about the outlook and expectations for the learning function have declined slightly in 2011, though the general outlook remains positive, according to the latest measurement by the American Society for Training & Development (ASTD). The current Learning Executives Confidence Index (LXCI) surveyed 332 learning executives about their expectations in four areas: impact on corporate performance; ability to meet learning needs; status as a key strategic component; and availability of resources. It is modeled on the CEO Confidence Indices reported by Chief Executive Magazine and The Conference Board.

The ASTD LXCI for the third quarter of 2011 was 65.9, a drop from 67.1 in the second quarter and a 1.7 point drop from the record high reached in the first quarter of 2011. This decrease demonstrates that collectively, learning executives (LXs) have tempered their optimism, though they still expect improvement in some areas over the next six months. The LXCI is measured by a 100-point scale.

Highlights from the LXCI for the third quarter of 2011 include:

• 57 percent of LXs believe funding for learning and development will not improve until Q1 of 2013 or later.

• 73.2 percent believe that the current economic situation will increase the use of e- learning.

• 64.6 percent believe the learning function as a key strategic component will improve either moderately or substantially in the next six months.

• Similar to last quarter's expectations, about 70 percent of LXs believed that the availability of resources needed to meet learning needs in the next six months will stay the same or get moderately better.

• Fewer learning executives expect moderately better performance for their particular industry in the next six months. The number dropped 8.1 percent from last quarter (48.2 to 40.1).

• Fewer see their organization's profit/performance expectations getting moderately or substantially better over the next 12 months. The number dropped by 6.4 percent, from 68.1 last quarter to 61.7 percent in Q3.

ASTD's Learning Executives Confidence Index was launched in August 2008 and is designed to assess the outlooks and expectations of learning executives for the next six months.

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