On Thursday, LinkedIn reported that it has acquired the online learning company, Lynda.com for 1.5 billion USD. A professional networking website, LinkedIn is expanding its domain beyond the core social network.
Lynda.com was started 20 years ago and is a leader in professional training videos. It offers online courses in technology, business and creative skills for both individuals and organisations. These courses will be available to 347 million members on LinkedIn.
LinkedIn has strongly marketed itself as more than just a database of resumes and job profiles. Last year it introduced blogging to the site, making it more interactive and an original content site. LinkedIn has also gotten personalities such as Richard Branson, founder of Virgin group, to write for it.
The recruiters shall benefit from Lynda.com’s ability to provide certification for people who have completed courses. It will help in finding potential job candidates as the recruiters would know that candidates have passed certain tests in their field.
LinkedIn connects all these services into an ‘economic graph’ where users can find both, new professional opportunities and the skills needed to take advantage of those. By entering into the e-learning sector, LinkedIn is aiming at members to use this site every day, or at least every week.
The CEO of LinkedIn, Jeff Weiner said “Lynda.com’s extensive library of premium video content helps empower people to develop the skills needed to accelerate their careers. When integrated with the hundreds of millions of members and millions of jobs on LinkedIn, Lynda.com can change the way in which people connect to opportunity.”
Started 12 years ago, LinkedIn has acquired more than a dozen companies till date, to increase the prospects for job seekers and employers
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