Surprising Rise in Confidence of Learning Executives in Q3 2013

Learning executives’ optimism and confidence about the outlook and expectations for the training function rose in the third quarter of 2013, according to the latest measurement by the American Society for Training & Development (ASTD). The current Learning Executive Confidence Index (LXCI) surveyed 305 learning executives (LXs) about their confidence and expectations in these key learning and development indices: ability to meet learning needs and to impact corporate performance; status of learning as a key strategic component; and availability of resources for learning. 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 2013 was 67.9, rising from 65.3 in the second quarter of 2013. The third quarter’s rise in confidence broke away from the standard trend of waning confidence as the year ends. By the third quarter of the year, organizations are starting to budget for the following year and a clear picture of the current year’s spending is becoming final, which can drive confidence levels down. However, in Q3 all LXCI indices saw increased scores or remained stable, indicating confidence remained strong heading into the last quarter of 2013. The LXCI is measured by a 100-point scale.

Key findings from the LXCI for the third quarter of 2013 include

• The Q3 2013 LXCI score of 67.9 is very close to the score the industry reported the first quarter of this year (68.1).

• The impact of corporate performance and the perception of the value of learning continue to be the most positive LXCI indicators, with 73.3 and 72.9 percent (respectively) believing that it will be moderately or substantially better in the next six months.

• The availability of resources needed to meet learning needs remains the least positive indicator, with 56.7 percent of LXs believing it would be the same or worse in the next six months.

• Overall, more LXs believe that the impact of learning and development for all indices over the next six months will be moderately to substantially better.

• Expectations for outsourcing learning in the next six months have increased 8.2 percent from last quarter and are at a record high of 42.7 percent.

• Two-thirds of learning executives believe that there will be an increase in workplace L&D funding in the next 18 months and later (an 8.5 percent increase from Q2 2013).

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.

Visit http://www.astd.org/Professional-Resources/LXCI to read the full report. 

About ASTD

ASTD (American Society for Training & Development) is the world’s largest professional association dedicated to the training and development field. In more than 100 countries, ASTD’s members work in organizations of all sizes, in the private and public sectors, as independent consultants, and as suppliers. Members connect locally in 120 U.S. chapters and with 15 international partners. ASTD started in 1943 and in recent years has widened the profession’s focus to align learning and performance to organizational results, and is a sought-after voice on critical public policy issues. For more information, visit www.astd.org.