Global Knowledge
Global Knowledge is a worldwide IT and professional training provider delivering instructor-led, virtual, and on-demand certification courses from vendors such as Cisco, AWS, Microsoft, and Red Hat to enterprise clients, federal agencies, and systems integrators across 100+ countries and 11 languages.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1995
- HeadquartersCary, United States
- Headcount1,001–5,000
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Global Knowledge does
Global Knowledge, founded in 1995 and headquartered in Cary, North Carolina, is an IT and professional skills training provider operating as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Skillsoft Corp. (NASDAQ: SKIL) and currently being divested to Enduring Ventures for $20 million in a transaction announced in May 2026. The company delivers training through four principal formats — Classroom Live, Virtual Classroom Live (delivered via Zoom), On-Demand, and Blended Live — anchored by the MyGK learning management portal and the GK Polaris unlimited subscription product. Its catalog spans more than 3,000 courses across topics including cybersecurity, cloud computing, networking, AI/ML, DevOps, project management, and 5G, with authorized training partner status for 25+ vendors including Cisco, AWS, Microsoft, IBM, Red Hat, VMware, Palo Alto Networks, NVIDIA, and ServiceNow. Delivery is supported in 11 languages across 100+ countries.
The customer base is heavily enterprise-weighted, with claimed penetration of 84% of Fortune 500 companies and 70% of Fortune 1000 companies, plus federal government access via GSA Schedule 70 / Professional Services Schedule contracts (600+ government courses) and a 10-year On-Site Training Services Contract with the Government of Canada. Go-to-market combines direct enterprise field sales, inside sales for mid-market, an authorized training partner channel, government procurement vehicles, and self-service e-commerce for individuals. Revenue mechanics span per-course instructor-led training (one-time), certification prep bundled with exam vouchers, unlimited subscriptions (GK Polaris, Cisco U. All Access / Essentials), on-demand e-learning subscriptions, and customized private group training. The company also publishes the annual IT Skills and Salary Report (5,100+ respondents) as a brand authority asset and accepts vendor prepaid training credits (Cisco Learning Credits at $100 each, Citrix Training Pass, Palo Alto vouchers) as payment.
Financial momentum is weak. The Global Knowledge segment recorded an 18% revenue decline in Q3 FY2026, prompting parent Skillsoft to initiate a strategic review and ultimately announce the sale to Enduring Ventures, with $10M of the $20M consideration deferred and contingent on post-close performance. Leadership includes William Garrett (EVP/CFO), Donna Peffley (VP HR), Robin Greer (VP Communications), and Stephen Hoffman (Sr. Director, Global Infrastructure). The company has executed multiple acquisitions (DevelopMentor in 2015, ctc TrainCanada in 2017, Lerio in 2019) and operates subsidiaries including the retained ctc TrainCanada brand.
Global Knowledge firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Global Knowledge
- Legal name
- Global Knowledge
- Website
- https://globalknowledge.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1995
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1,001–5,000 employees
- Short description
- Global Knowledge is a worldwide IT and professional training provider delivering instructor-led, virtual, and on-demand certification courses from vendors such as Cisco, AWS, Microsoft, and Red Hat to enterprise clients, federal agencies, and systems integrators across 100+ countries and 11 languages.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Global Knowledge industry classification
Industry- Product category
- IT Training and Certification Services
- NAICS
- Computer Training (611420), Business Schools and Computer and Management Training (6114)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Information Technology & Software (EDAAAPAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Vendor/Authorized Certification Training (Microsoft/AWS/Cisco, etc.) (BPAEANAA), Information Technology & Cybersecurity Certification Prep (CompTIA, Cisco, Microsoft, AWS, ISC2/ISACA) (EDANAIAF), Technical & Digital Skills Training (BPACANAB)
Keywords
Where Global Knowledge is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Cary
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Global Knowledge business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Instructor-Led Training Courses: Traditional classroom and virtual classroom instructor-led training courses across IT and professional skills topics. Revenue generated through per-course enrollment fees for individual and group training sessions.
- Certification Training and Exam Vouchers: Preparation courses for technology certifications from vendors like Cisco, Microsoft, AWS, CompTIA, Red Hat, VMware, Palo Alto Networks, and more. Includes bundled exam vouchers.
- Training Subscriptions (GK Polaris): Unlimited ILT subscription packages offering access to over 200 live virtual courses with subscription pricing for ongoing access.
- On-Demand E-Learning Subscriptions: Self-paced digital learning subscriptions from technology providers such as Cisco U., Microsoft, Red Hat, VMware, and others for 24/7 access to training content.
- Corporate Group Training: Customized private group training for organizations with dedicated sessions tailored to specific team needs and organizational requirements.
- Training Credits and Vouchers Processing: Accepts vendor training credits and vouchers (Cisco Learning Credits, Citrix Training Pass, Palo Alto Networks vouchers) as payment for authorized training courses.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Individual Course Enrollment - Per course pricing for open enrollment |
| Subscription | Annual | GK Polaris Unlimited Training Subscription - Unlimited ILT access |
| Other | Multi-year contract | Corporate/Group Training - Customized private training |
| Other | Multi-year contract | GSA Schedule Contracts - Government procurement vehicle |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Cisco Learning Credits - Vendor prepaid training vouchers |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels5 records
Global Knowledge product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Global Knowledge delivers technology and professional skills training through instructor-led classroom, live virtual, and on-demand formats, focused on IT certifications and product education from major vendors such as Cisco, AWS, Microsoft, IBM, Red Hat, VMware, and Palo Alto Networks. Offerings are sold via enterprise subscriptions (GK Polaris), individual course seats, vendor-branded programs (Cisco U., AWS Discovery Days, Microsoft Applied Skills Bootcamps), and dedicated government and private training solutions delivered worldwide.
Product overview
Global Knowledge is a worldwide leader in IT and professional training, offering a comprehensive training platform that delivers instructor-led classroom, Virtual Classroom Live, and on-demand training. The platform centers around the MyGK learning portal for course access and management, complemented by GK Polaris subscription for unlimited training access. Training tools include the Training Planner, Delivery Format Picker, and EZ Sites enrollment management platform. The company provides specialized subscriptions including Cisco U. All Access and Cisco U. Essentials, free AWS Discovery Days, and Microsoft Applied Skills Bootcamps. Payment options include Cisco Learning Credits, Citrix Training Passes, and vendor vouchers. The IT Skills and Salary Report serves as an annual industry benchmark publication.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- MyGK: Online learning portal for accessing training courses, class recordings, and course certificates.
- GK Polaris
- Codecademy from Skillsoft
Products and services
- GK Polaris
Quantifiable outcome
- 93% of respondents in IT Skills and Salary Report had at least one certification, with 60% reporting improved work quality, 48% improved engagement, and 43% improved productivity
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Global Knowledge
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments7 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Global Knowledge technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature6 records
Global Knowledge partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- SkillsoftcoreParent company (being divested to Enduring Ventures). Following the sale, Skillsoft will maintain a strategic partnership with Global Knowledge enabling mutual customers to access each organization's respective learning offerings. Global Knowledge delivers instructor-led training while Skillsoft provides AI-native Percipio platform.
- ctc TrainCanadaminorAcquired by Global Knowledge in 2017 to strengthen worldwide training capabilities. Represents strategic expansion of Canadian market presence.
- CiscocoreCisco International Training Partner of the Year award winner. Global Knowledge is a Cisco Authorized Training Partner delivering Cisco certification courses, Cisco U. subscriptions, and accepts Cisco Learning Credits (CLCs) as payment. Offers comprehensive Cisco curriculum including CCNA, CCNP, CCIE, and specialized tracks.
- Amazon Web Services (AWS)coreAWS Authorized Training Partner offering AWS courses, AWS Discovery Days free events, and AWS Skill Builder subscriptions. Training covers cloud architecture, development, operations, and security tracks.
- MicrosoftcoreMicrosoft authorized training partner offering Azure, Microsoft 365, Power Platform, and security certification training. Includes Applied Skills Bootcamps and comprehensive Microsoft curriculum.
- Red HatcoreRed Hat authorized training partner delivering Red Hat certification courses including RHCSA, RHCE, and OpenShift. Accepts Red Hat training credits as payment.
- VMwarecoreVMware authorized training partner offering vSphere, NSX, and VMware Cloud Foundation courses for virtualization and cloud infrastructure training.
- IBMcoreIBM authorized training partner delivering IBM technology courses and certification preparation.
- Palo Alto NetworkscorePalo Alto Networks authorized training partner offering cybersecurity certification courses (CCSA, CCSE) and accepts Palo Alto Networks training vouchers for payment.
- CitrixcoreCitrix Authorized Learning Center (CALC) accepting Citrix Training Pass (CTP) vouchers for Citrix virtualization and networking courses.
- CompTIAcoreCompTIA authorized training partner offering Security+, Network+, A+, and other CompTIA certification preparation courses.
- ServiceNowcoreServiceNow authorized training partner delivering ITSM and platform certification courses for ServiceNow implementations.
- OraclecoreOracle authorized training partner offering Oracle database, cloud, and enterprise application courses.
- NVIDIAcoreNVIDIA authorized training partner offering GPU computing, deep learning, and AI infrastructure courses.
- Government of CanadacoreCanadian federal government awarded Global Knowledge a 10-year On-Site Training Services Contract (offering à commandes et arrangements en matière d'approvisionnement) for government employee training.
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Global Knowledge competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Coursera: Coursera partners with universities and tech vendors (Google, IBM, AWS, Meta) to deliver online certification programs, competing for the same enterprise upskilling budget and individual certification-seeker audience as Global Knowledge.
- Skillsoft (Percipio): Skillsoft is the former parent and a broad incumbent in enterprise digital learning, offering Percipio SaaS, Codecademy, and SumTotal. It overlaps with Global Knowledge's catalog on digital delivery and competes head-to-head in enterprise L&D deals.
Direct peers
- Learning Tree International: Learning Tree delivers instructor-led IT and management training to enterprise and government clients worldwide, with comparable course catalogs, delivery formats, and corporate training contracts.
- Pluralsight: Pluralsight is a direct competitor in technology skills training and certification prep for IT professionals, offering both self-paced and instructor-led paths across cloud, cybersecurity, and software development—overlapping significantly with Global Knowledge's core curriculum.
- Fast Lane: Fast Lane is a global authorized training partner focused on Cisco, AWS, Google Cloud, Microsoft, and NetApp, offering instructor-led and virtual classroom training with very similar authorized-partner economics to Global Knowledge.
- ONLC Training Centers: ONLC is a U.S.-focused authorized training provider delivering IT certification courses from Microsoft, Cisco, AWS, and others through instructor-led remote and onsite formats, directly competing with Global Knowledge's mid-market segment.
- Linux Foundation Training: The Linux Foundation is a major authorized training organization for open-source and cloud technologies (Kubernetes, OpenStack, Linux), offering instructor-led and self-paced training with certification pathways that overlap Global Knowledge's Red Hat, Cloud, and DevOps tracks.
- New Horizons Computer Learning Centers: New Horizons is one of the largest authorized IT training providers globally, delivering vendor-certified instructor-led training for Cisco, Microsoft, AWS, and CompTIA in a virtually identical model to Global Knowledge.
Emerging players
- Udemy Business: Udemy Business is a marketplace-driven learning platform expanding aggressively into enterprise IT and certification prep, competing on price and breadth for the same corporate L&D budget that funds Global Knowledge engagements.
Regional players
- QA (QA Ltd): QA is the UK's largest IT training provider delivering authorized vendor training (Microsoft, AWS, Cisco) through instructor-led formats, directly mirroring Global Knowledge's model but concentrated in the UK and EMEA market.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Global Knowledge social profiles
Digital presenceGlobal Knowledge financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Global Knowledge leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
Global Knowledge subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
Global Knowledge funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Global Knowledge M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A3 records
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Global Knowledge
What does Global Knowledge do?
Global Knowledge delivers technology and professional skills training through instructor-led classroom, live virtual, and on-demand formats, focused on IT certifications and product education from major vendors such as Cisco, AWS, Microsoft, IBM, Red Hat, VMware, and Palo Alto Networks. Offerings are sold via enterprise subscriptions (GK Polaris), individual course seats, vendor-branded programs (Cisco U., AWS Discovery Days, Microsoft Applied Skills Bootcamps), and dedicated government and private training solutions delivered worldwide.
Is Global Knowledge a public or private company?
Global Knowledge is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Global Knowledge founded?
Global Knowledge was founded in 1995. It employs 1,001 to 5,000 people.
Where is Global Knowledge based?
Global Knowledge is headquartered in Cary, United States, in the North America region.
How does Global Knowledge make money?
Six revenue lines are on record. Instructor-Led Training Courses are the primary driver. The others are certification Training and Exam Vouchers, training Subscriptions (GK Polaris), on-Demand E-Learning Subscriptions, corporate Group Training and training Credits and Vouchers Processing.
Who are Global Knowledge's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Coursera and Skillsoft (Percipio). Direct peers are Learning Tree International, Pluralsight, Fast Lane, ONLC Training Centers, Linux Foundation Training and New Horizons Computer Learning Centers. Udemy Business is listed as an emerging player. QA (QA Ltd) is listed as a regional player.
Does Global Knowledge have an API?
No public API is recorded for Global Knowledge.
What industry is Global Knowledge in?
Global Knowledge's product category is IT Training and Certification Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAAAPAB, Information Technology & Software, with a secondary code of BPAEANAA, Vendor/Authorized Certification Training (Microsoft/AWS/Cisco, etc.). Its NAICS code is 611420 and its SIC code is 8200.