Top Training Companies Lists- FAQ
What are Top 20 and Watch List Companies?
A Top 20 company is an organization that is recognized as a leading provider in a given training sector. These companies distinguish themselves by offering innovative products and services that meet the needs of a wide range of client organizations. Training Industry announces awards for each specific training sector on an annual basis. Depending on the quantity and quality of applicants, we supplement some of our Top 20 awards with a Watch List. A Watch List company is a provider with emerging or unique strengths or capabilities. Note that not all Top 20 awards have an accompanying Watch List.
How do I apply?
To be considered for our lists, all companies must fill out an online application available through our award platform during the category application window. A notification of the category opening will also be emailed to Top 20 subscribers.
Is there a fee for the application?
Unlike other training awards, there is no cost to apply for Top 20 Companies awards. Our lists are purely merit-based.
When are the applications open and when is the deadline?
The application schedule shows the opening and deadline date for each category. Each application is open for 2 weeks and will close at 11:59 PM EST on the posted deadline. Any application received after the deadline cannot be guaranteed consideration for the awards.
Do I need to complete all the information on the application to be considered?
To fairly and fully evaluate and compare all applications, we recommend that each application answer all questions about their companies to the best of their knowledge and abilities. Leaving questions blank will hinder our ability to compare your company amongst other applicants. We may consider an application incomplete if all necessary information is not provided.
You are encouraged to provide complete information so that we can properly assess your organization’s capabilities. Leaving information out when other companies (private or public) provide the information may impact your organization’s potential to be included on the award list for a training sector. While omitting information neither disqualifies nor penalizes your application, it limits our ability to differentiate your company from others that may be contenders for the Top 20 award. We will do our best to follow up on incomplete applications to ensure information was not omitted in error.
Our award platform has top of the line security and certifications. Your information is protected through GDPR, LCPD, CCPA and APP. The platform is also certified and compliant with the Consensus Assessments Initiative Questionnaire (CAIQ) v3.1, ISO/IEC 27001: 2013 standard and PCI DSS. Sensitive information is strictly confidential, and we are committed to helping companies feel secure.
Our company does not share revenue information; will this affect our award application?
As noted in the application, all revenue information will be kept confidential within the Training Industry team; we will not share your current or past financial information in any way. This is a standard question on all of our Top 20 applications, and it is ultimately up to your organization if you would like to provide the information or not.
Although the question technically is not required, you are encouraged to provide financial information so that we can properly assess your organization’s size and growth potential. Leaving this information out when other companies (private or public) provide the information may impact your organization’s potential to be included on the list. While omitting this information neither disqualifies nor penalizes your application, it limits our ability to differentiate your company from others that may be contenders for the Top 20 list.
Our award platform has top of the line security and certifications. Your information is protected through GDPR, LCPD, CCPA and APP. The platform is also certified and compliant with the Consensus Assessments Initiative Questionnaire (CAIQ) v3.1, ISO/IEC 27001: 2013 standard and PCI DSS. Sensitive information is strictly confidential, and we are committed to helping companies feel secure.
When will next year’s application schedule be announced?
Our schedule for Top 20 lists will be released in Q4 of each year for the following year’s awards.
Are application entries kept confidential?
We take companies’ privacy very seriously. Each application is kept strictly confidential and reviewed internally by Training Industry. The detailed information provided on applications is never shared publicly or with third parties. If selected for a Top 20 award, your organization may be included or spotlighted in future Training Industry publications. Training Industry may use a portion of your application data to create a profile for your organization. However, sensitive information such as revenue data will remain confidential with the Top 20 Selection Committee and will not be used in such publications.
Can I request an extension?
The application is open for 2 weeks and will close on the deadline posted on the schedule. At this point scoring will begin. If there is an issue where your company cannot submit the application by the deadline, email top20@trainingindustry.com immediately to inquire about the feasibility of post-deadline submission. Any application received after the deadline cannot be guaranteed consideration for the awards.
Are the Top Companies lists ranked?
We do not attempt to rank award winners due to the diversity of services included in each training sector. Our goal with each Top 20 list is to survey the top providers in a sector with the understanding that each provider represents a unique set of capabilities, products, and/or services for the L&D market.
If we apply to more than one Top 20 list, do we have to complete the same information?
Yes. While a portion of the questions are universal to all application categories, each application includes several questions that are specific to each segment. It may be helpful to reference your other applications to ensure that your responses are consistent.
Why does Training Industry publish Top 20 lists?
Our mission is to create a more efficient marketplace for learning. As a resource for both buyers and suppliers in the training and development market, we created the Top 20 lists and Watch lists to recognize companies that offer the best training programs in a variety of fields. The awards are based on industry influence, breadth of programs offered, clients served, experience in the market, innovation, along with several additional factors.
We also publish the lists to recognize and increase the visibility of companies with outstanding performance. Our lists are highly ranked in “top training companies” search results, and the Top 20 page is one of the most popular destinations on TrainingIndustry.com. Thousands of people use our lists each year, including potential buyers interested in finding the best training providers for their companies.