What Professional Development does

Professional Development Ltd. is a privately held, Dublin-based professional training provider operating in Ireland. The company delivers accredited courses in Project Management (PRINCE2, PMP, CAPM, and QQI Level 6), Agile/Scrum, Lean Six Sigma (Green through Black Belt), Management, Train the Trainer, Communication Skills, ITIL Foundation, Time Management, and Resilience. Its content is delivered through three formats: scheduled live virtual classroom sessions over Zoom/Teams, customized in-company programs delivered virtually or on-site, and self-paced e-learning packages (with exam simulators hosted by VMEdu and ScrumStudy).

The company is differentiated primarily through its accreditation portfolio rather than proprietary technology. It is a QQI-registered training centre (Centre No. 38038N), a PMI Registered Education Provider, an AXELOS/PeopleCert Accredited Training Organization for PRINCE2 (Registry ID 5707), an IASSC Accredited Training Organization (A.C.O. No. 01-1050), and a ScrumStudy Approved Training Organization. Course materials are distributed through Dropbox, Google Drive, OneDrive, and Box, and rely on standard broadband (~5 Mbps) for live delivery rather than a proprietary platform.

The revenue model mixes individual public course fees (€175-€595 per seat, with a 50% deposit and balance due 30 days pre-course), in-company training quoted on a per-day basis (currently at a 20% promotional discount), and self-paced e-learning subscriptions. Go-to-market is sales-led, executed via a multi-channel mix consisting of a content-heavy website, seven topic-specific blogs, SEO, phone consultation (Freephone 1800 910 810 / Dublin 01-8610700), and email. Customers include named enterprises such as Bank of Ireland, Allianz, Aer Lingus, HP, Telefonica, Hertz, Generali, and Musgrave. Founded as a private limited company in Ireland, the business is founder-owned/bootstrapped with 1-10 employees and no disclosed external funding. Note: the firmographic founding year is listed as 1980, while other internal references cite 32 years of experience (consistent with founding circa 1992); the discrepancy is flagged but not material to the operating profile.

Name

Professional Development

Legal name

Professional Development Ltd.

Website

https://professionaldevelopment.ie

Company type

Private

Founded year

1992

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Professional Development is a Dublin-based, QQI- and internationally-accredited training provider offering certified courses in Project Management, Agile, Lean Six Sigma, Management, and Communication to Irish professionals and corporate clients via live virtual classroom, in-company, and self-paced e-learning formats.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Training and Certification Services

NAICS

Professional and Management Development Training (611430), Professional and Management Development Training (61143)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Project, Process & Quality Certification Prep (PMP, PRINCE2, Lean Six Sigma, ITIL) (EDANAIAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Training Delivery Providers (In-Person, Virtual, Train-the-Trainer) (BPACANAM), Education & Training Providers (EDABALAI), Corporate Learning & Training Content Development (EDAGAKAC)

Keywords

• Professional training services
• Project management courses
• Lean six sigma certification
• Management training programs
• Corporate training courses

Headquarters

HQ city

Dublin

HQ country

Ireland

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Public Course Fees: Individual professionals pay course fees for public scheduled courses delivered in live virtual classroom format. Fees vary by course duration and certification inclusion, ranging from €175 for 1-day Communication Skills to €595 for 4-day QQI Certified Project Management. Payment requires 50% deposit to confirm provisional booking with full payment due 30 days before course start.
2. In-Company Training: Corporate clients engage Professional Development for tailored team training delivered either virtually or on-site at client locations. Pricing is quoted on a per-day basis rather than per-person, making it cost-efficient for larger teams. Currently offering 20% discount on in-company daily training rates. All 32 years of courses available as in-company programs.
3. E-Learning Packages: Self-paced online training courses with certification for individuals who prefer learning at their own pace or cannot commit to scheduled dates. Includes access to exam simulators and online study materials hosted by VMEdu and SCRUMstudy. Access periods are strictly limited to allocated timeframes.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Professional Development is a Dublin-based accredited training company that delivers professional development courses in project management, Agile, Lean Six Sigma, management, train-the-trainer, ITIL, and communication skills. Courses are offered as public scheduled sessions, in-company tailored programs, or self-paced e-learning, and lead to nationally (QQI Level 6) and internationally (PRINCE2, PMP, CAPM, IASSC, ScrumStudy) recognised certifications. Delivery is primarily via live virtual classroom using Zoom/Teams, with on-site in-company options available across Ireland.

Product overview

Professional Development is a training provider offering instructor-led and self-paced courses primarily in professional development disciplines. The portfolio consists of multiple course suites — Project Management (PRINCE2, PMP, CAPM, QQI), Agile, Lean Six Sigma (Green to Black Belt), Management Training, Train the Trainer, Communication Skills, ITIL, Time Management, and Resilience — delivered through three formats: live virtual classroom training (via Zoom/Teams), in-company (tailored on-site or virtual), and e-learning packages (self-paced with exam simulators). The company also offers QQI-accredited certifications at Level 6, alongside international credentials from AXELOS (PRINCE2, ITIL), PMI (PMP, CAPM), SCRUMstudy, and IASSC. The product portfolio is structured as a multi-suite offering rather than a unified software platform.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Project Management Courses A suite of project management courses and certifications including PRINCE2 Foundation and Practitioner, PMP exam preparation, CAPM certification, and QQI Level 6 Project Management. Available as public or in-company training in live virtual or in-person formats. Targeted at project managers and professionals seeking international certification.
• Agile Courses Courses covering agile project management methodologies and Scrum frameworks, including SCRUMstudy certifications (SMC, SAMC). Available as public or in-company training for professionals and teams.
• Lean Six Sigma Courses Full suite from Green Belt through Black Belt, including QQI certifications and IASSC accreditation. The Black Belt programme uses SigmaXL software and is offered as a structured certification pathway. The company positions itself as Ireland's premier Lean Six Sigma Green Belt provider.
• Management Training Courses Courses covering core management skills, people management, coaching, and QQI Level 6 certifications in Managing People (6N3945) and Coaching Models of Practice (6N3087). Available as public and in-company programmes.
• Train The Trainer Courses QQI-accredited train-the-trainer programmes covering Training Needs Identification & Design, Training Delivery & Evaluation, and Special Purpose Award in Training & Development, all at QQI Level 6. Targeted at HR professionals and internal trainers.
• Communication Skills Courses Practical communication skills workshops covering clarity, active listening, assertiveness, and handling difficult conversations. Available as 1-day public or 2-day in-company workshops. Targeted at professionals and corporate teams.
• ITIL Foundation Course IT service management certification course covering ITIL principles, available in live virtual classroom and self-paced online formats. Targeted at IT professionals pursuing the ITIL credential.
• Time Management Course 1-day in-house workshop covering task prioritization, goal setting, delegation, deadline management, and eliminating time waste. Delivered in classroom or virtual format tailored to the client organisation.
• Resilience Training 1-day virtual workshop focused on building workplace resilience, handling change, stress management, and developing self-awareness and personal action plans.
• QQI Certified Managing People Course 3-day QQI Level 6 certification course (award code: 6N3945) covering people management skills, communication, team building, conflict handling, and performance management. Price: €575 including certification.
• QQI Management Coaching Course 4-day QQI Level 6 course (award code: 6N3087, credits: 15) covering coaching principles, GROW model, communication skills, and coaching practice. Leads to Coaching Models of Practice certification. Price: €575 including certification.
• Management Skills Training Course 2-day practical management skills course covering delegation, time management, motivation, and communication without certification requirement. Price: €375.
• Live Virtual Classroom Training Trainer-led, real-time online training delivered via Zoom/Teams. Provides interactive classroom experience with breakout rooms, whiteboards, screen sharing, and group discussions from the delegate's own location. Discounts of up to 25% available. Accessible via standard broadband (~5Mbps minimum) on computers, tablets, or smartphones.
• In-Company Training Tailored training delivered exclusively to a client organisation's team, either online (live virtual) or on-site. Includes consultation, needs analysis, custom content design, and follow-up review. Pricing quoted on a per-day basis rather than per person, making it cost-efficient for larger teams. Offered at 20% discount on daily rates.
• E-Learning Packages Self-paced online training packages with certification. Includes access to exam simulators, study materials, and learning portals hosted by VMEdu and SCRUMstudy with defined access periods. Suitable for professionals who prefer learning at their own pace.

Quantifiable outcome

• QQI certificates issued within 5 months of assessment submission
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers16 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• QQI (Quality and Qualifications Ireland)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProfessional Development is an official QQI registered training centre (Centre No. 38038N) authorized to deliver QQI Level 6 certified courses including Managing People (award code 6N3945), Coaching Models of Practice (award code 6N3087), and Project Management (award code 6N4090). Certificates are issued directly by QQI following assessment submission.
• PMI (Project Management Institute)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProfessional Development is a PMI Registered Education Provider (R.E.P.) authorized to deliver exam preparation courses for PMI certifications including PMP and CAPM. The PMI Registered Education Provider logo is a registered mark of the Project Management Institute, Inc.
• AXELOS (PRINCE2 and ITIL)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProfessional Development is an Accredited Training Organization (ATO) for PRINCE2 and offers ITIL Foundation courses under AXELOS trademark licensing. PRINCE2 is a registered trademark of AXELOS Limited. PeopleCert Registry ID: 5707.
• IASSC (International Association for Six Sigma Certification)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProfessional Development is an IASSC Accredited Training Organization (A.C.O. No. 01-1050) authorized to deliver Lean Six Sigma certification preparation courses.
• ScrumStudy (VmEdu, Inc.)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProfessional Development is an Approved Training Organization (ATO) for ScrumStudy certifications. SCRUMstudy, SCT, SMC, SAMC are registered marks of VmEdu, Inc. Exam simulators and study materials are hosted by VMEdu.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• ILX Group: Specialist PRINCE2, PMP, and ITIL training provider with e-learning and live virtual classroom delivery — overlapping course suite and target customer base.
• Firebrand Training: UK/Europe-based accelerated training provider covering PRINCE2, ITIL, and project management certifications, with virtual and in-company options — directly comparable in format and curriculum.
• Simplilearn: Large professional certification training company covering PMP, PRINCE2, ITIL, Six Sigma, and Agile — overlapping directly with Professional Development's curriculum and certification prep focus, though operating at significantly greater scale.
• Invensis Learning: PMP, PRINCE2, ITIL, Scrum, and Six Sigma certification training provider with virtual and on-site delivery — comparable product mix and target audience of certification-seeking professionals.
• The Knowledge Academy: UK-headquartered professional training provider offering PRINCE2, PMP, ITIL, Six Sigma, and management courses via live virtual and in-company formats — directly overlapping Professional Development's core product portfolio and target customers.
• KnowledgeHut: Global training provider focused on PMP, PRINCE2, Agile, Scrum, and Six Sigma certification prep, delivered via live virtual classroom — closely comparable offering to Professional Development's core course suites.

Broad incumbents

• BPP Professional Education: Large UK professional education group offering PRINCE2, PMP, ACCA, and other professional certification courses. Operates in a similar professional training category at greater scale, often in-company and virtual.
• Global Knowledge: Large IT and business training provider covering PMP, PRINCE2, ITIL, Agile, and Six Sigma certifications globally — broader portfolio but directly comparable in the certification prep space Professional Development targets.
• Learning Tree International: Established global professional and IT training provider offering PMP, PRINCE2, ITIL, and management courses via virtual and in-company delivery — comparable in format, broader in scale.

Regional players

• Irish Management Institute (IMI): Irish-based management development and leadership training institution offering programs for managers and corporate teams — same Irish geography and overlapping management/leadership training segment.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/pdl_courses
• Facebookfacebook.com/pdlcourses
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/professional-development-ltd

Compliance7 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Professional Development