If there's one thing that came across loud and clear in this year's InformationWeek 500 study, it's that the nation's most technologically innovative companies are committed to investing in their employees' IT careers. A full 98% of companies participating in the survey provide company-paid educational or training opportunities to their IT staffs.

In fact, 71% of InformationWeek 500 companies consider E-learning initiatives one of the most-effective technology steps in raising the productivity of their IT staffs. Of the top 100 members of the InformationWeek 500, 85% cite E-learning as a productivity booster, compared with 67% of the remaining 400 companies.

This year's No. 1 company, HIP Health Plan of New York, exemplifies the benefits of investing in employees' career development. The health-insurance company last year launched HIP University, where employees can choose from interactive general-business and technical courses. Some are taught in a classroom setting; others are offered online.

HIP is so convinced its HIP University produces better-informed, highly skilled workers that the company requires employees to take at least two courses a year. Many take even more.

HIP is in good company. More than 80% of insurance companies on our InformationWeek 500 list consider E-learning a key factor in raising the productivity levels of IT staffs. Other industries that make E-learning a priority are telecommunications (100%), health care and medical (91%), and consulting and business services (86%). Industries less interested in E-learning initiatives include metals and natural resources (62%), manufacturing (55%), general merchandising (44%), and electronics (44%).

Has your company kept pace with this year's InformationWeek 500 companies by offering employees educational opportunities? Which learning initiatives does your company plan to invest in next year? Let us know.

Kathleen Foley
Managing Editor, InformationWeek 500
kfoley@cmp.com

All Inclusive What percentage of your workforce has completed E-learning courses via the Internet or an intranet? Many InformationWeek 500 companies offer third-party and internally developed E-training courses to their entire workforces. On average, 28% of those companies' workforces completed company-delivered courses, nearly a quarter completed third-party courses, and 9% received skill certifications via E-learning. Top of the Page