Nexient Learning Inc. Named Dual Finalist for the 2006 Microsoft Partner of the Year Award in Learning Solutions

Halifax, Nova Scotia – July 7, 2006 – Nexient Learning Inc. (TSX: NXN) formerly CrossOff Incorporated and parent company of Polar Bear Corporate Education Solutions / CDI Education, Canada’s largest provider of skills development, today announced it has been nominated for Microsoft Corp.’s Partner of the Year Award for Technology Innovation and Sales & Marketing in the Learning Solutions Award category. Winners for the 2006 Microsoft Partner Program Awards, which recognize top Microsoft Partners delivering market-leading, Microsoft-based solutions, will be announced July 12 in Boston at the Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference.

Awards will be presented in a number of categories, with winners chosen from a pool of more than 1,800 entrants worldwide. The Learning Solutions Award demonstrates a partner’s commitment and ability to deliver superior consultative learning services to provide the skills and knowledge that businesses and individuals need to get the most from their investments in Microsoft technology. Nexient is nominated for this award for its outstanding approaches to providing its customers with learning techniques that have helped maximize their technology investment and on-the-job productivity.

“We are both excited and honoured to be recognized by Microsoft for the second consecutive year for our contributions in Technology Innovation and Sales & Marketing,” said Brian Pennington, Vice President of Brand and Product Management at Nexient. “Our commitment to Microsoft and our customers runs well beyond the physical classroom session. We are constantly in search of new ways to improve the overall learning experience and it is especially rewarding to be honoured amongst our International peers,” added Pennington.

The Microsoft Partner Program Awards recognize Microsoft Partners that have developed and delivered exceptional Microsoft-based solutions over the past year. Multiple awards are distributed in four categories: Partner of the Year for Technology Innovation, Partner of the Year for Sales and Marketing, the Specialization Excellence Awards and the Microsoft Initiative Awards.