Learning executives are more optimistic than they have been in almost a year according to the latest measurement by ASTD. The Learning Executive Confidence Index (LXCI) for the second quarter of 2009 posted a significant rebound in all indices building on the stabilization recorded in the first quarter of 2009. The current LXCI surveyed 193 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.

Current LXCI indices show confidence gaining substantially in the second quarter compared to the stabilization exhibited in the first three months of 2009. Learning executives revealed a more positive outlook in all areas, including availability of resources, the first time in a year that index has risen. When the four different measures are combined, the overall LXCI for second quarter 2009 was 59.4, compared with 55.2 for first quarter of 2009. The LXCI is measured on a 100-point scale. The 4.2-point change shows an overall rebound in optimism and indicates that collectively learning executives expect their learning functions to remain the same or marginally improve over the next six months.

Other highlights of the LXCI for second quarter 2009 include:

• While the Availability of Resources index did rise for the first time in a year, its increase was the smallest of all indices, indicating this area is a continued concern

• More than three quarters - 77.2% - of learning executives report the performance of their industry will remain the same or improve in the next six months- an almost 20% rise from the Q1 measurement of 58.1%

• Confidence in organizational profit expectations also increased substantially with 74.5% anticipating their organizations' profits will remain the same or improve, up from 57.9% in Q1.

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

Click to find out more about the LXCI.