Learning executives remain confident and optimistic about the outlook and expectations for the learning function according to the latest measurement by the American Society for Training & Development (ASTD). The Learning Executive Confidence Index (LXCI) for the third quarter of 2010 stabilized after reaching its highest score on record the first two quarters of the year. The current LXCI surveyed 238 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 slight 2.4 point drop in the index score, to 59.6, reflects the stabilization of learning executives' (LXs) confidence after two consecutive quarters of growth and demonstrates that collectively LXs expect their learning functions to improve slightly over the next six months. After drops at the end of 2008, executive confidence rebounded in the second and third quarters of 2009, plateauing in the fourth quarter and rebounding through 2010. The overall LXCI for the second quarter of 2010 was a record-high 62.0. The LXCI is measured on a 100-point scale.

Highlights from the LXCI for the third quarter of 2010 include:

• Expectations for outsourcing on external services showed an increase with more LXs foreseeing a continuation of the status quo or an increase in outsourcing.

• 82 percent of LXs expect their companies' profitability to increase or remain stable.

• Nearly 80 percent of LXs anticipate funding for the learning profession to increase or remain the same, up slightly from the second quarter.

• More LXs foresee the current economy encouraging a greater shift in using e-learning/virtual delivery (51.9%), greater reliance on informal learning (30.5%), and Web 2.0 technologies (30%).

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.

To read the full report, go to http://www.astd.org/content/research/LXCI.htm.