E-learning giant SkillSoft has agreed a $285 million deal to acquire NETg from Thomson Corporation.

The sale is expected to be completed in the second quarter of 2007.

Chuck Moran, CEO of SkillSoft. said the move would bring a wider range of solutions to the customers of both SkillSoft and NETg.

“By combining the two organisations we will be able to optimise our development focus and deliver a wider range of e-learning solutions to customers than either organisation has delivered in the past,” Moran said. “This is key to increasing our ability to compete with the many larger players in the global corporate training market."

Thomson is also seeking buyers for Prometric, a global leader in assessment services, through a competitive bidding process. The company expects the sale of Prometric to be concluded in 2007.