GP Strategies (GPX) 10-Q 30 Oct 14 2014 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_And_Entity_Informatio

Document And Entity Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Oct. 24, 2014
Document Information [Line Items]	'	'
Entity Registrant Name	'GP STRATEGIES CORP	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0000070415	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31	'
Entity Filer Category	'Accelerated Filer	'
Trading Symbol	'GPX	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	17,093,573
Document Type	'10-Q	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'
Document Period End Date	30-Sep-14	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q3	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2014	'

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Assets	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$9,118	$5,647
Accounts and other receivables, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $1,475 in 2014 and $1,405 in 2013	89,064	94,662
Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings on uncompleted contracts	38,425	22,706
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	16,313	13,523
Total current assets	152,920	136,538
Property, plant and equipment	20,975	24,560
Accumulated depreciation	-12,572	-15,329
Property, plant and equipment, net	8,403	9,231
Goodwill	127,514	116,987
Intangible assets, net	12,161	15,129
Other assets	1,686	2,271
Total assets	302,684	280,156
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity	'	'
Short-term borrowings	4,880	407
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	55,881	55,339
Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts	18,931	22,062
Total current liabilities	79,692	77,808
Other noncurrent liabilities	12,640	9,321
Total liabilities	92,332	87,129
Stockholders' equity:	'	'
Common stock, par value $0.01 per share	192	192
Additional paid-in capital	166,835	167,908
Retained earnings	47,385	27,711
Treasury stock at cost	0	-1,170
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-4,060	-1,614
Total stockholders’ equity	210,352	193,027
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity	$302,684	$280,156

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance1

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]	'	'
Accounts and other receivables, allowance for doubtful accounts (in dollars)	$1,475	$1,405
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$0.01	$0.01

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Income Statement [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Revenue	$123,869	$113,197	$376,667	$319,469
Cost of revenue	101,351	93,136	311,027	264,832
Gross profit	22,518	20,061	65,640	54,637
Selling, general and administrative expenses	11,863	9,856	34,914	28,825
Gain on change in fair value of contingent consideration, net	655	135	1,513	427
Operating income	11,310	10,340	32,239	26,239
Interest expense	117	90	399	256
Other income (expense)	-72	4	185	326
Income before income tax expense	11,121	10,254	32,025	26,309
Income tax expense	3,877	4,111	12,351	9,994
Net income	$7,244	$6,143	$19,674	$16,315
Basic weighted average shares outstanding (in shares)	19,131	19,125	19,138	19,089
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding (in shares)	19,391	19,404	19,409	19,344
Per common share data:	'	'	'	'
Basic earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$0.38	$0.32	$1.03	$0.85
Diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$0.37	$0.32	$1.01	$0.84

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme1

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Net income	$7,244	$6,143	$19,674	$16,315
Foreign currency translation adjustments	-3,674	2,525	-2,446	-62
Comprehensive income	$3,570	$8,668	$17,228	$16,253

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme2

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Cash flows from operating activities:	'	'
Net income	$19,674	$16,315
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:	'	'
Gain on change in fair value of contingent consideration, net	-1,513	-427
Depreciation and amortization	7,477	6,255
Deferred income taxes	366	-216
Non-cash compensation expense	3,510	2,867
Changes in other operating items:	'	'
Accounts and other receivables	6,164	917
Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings on uncompleted contracts	-15,937	-9,269
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	-2,725	-2,586
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	6,129	-71
Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts	-3,778	-2,110
Excess Tax Benefit from Share-based Compensation, Operating Activities	-1,539	-249
Contingent consideration payments in excess of fair value on acquisition date	-1,043	-708
Other	-121	-469
Net cash provided by operating activities	16,664	10,249
Cash flows from investing activities:	'	'
Additions to property, plant and equipment	-2,315	-4,608
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired	-8,666	-13,524
Proceeds from Sale of Productive Assets	246	0
Net cash used in investing activities	-10,735	-18,132
Cash flows from financing activities:	'	'
Proceeds from short-term borrowings	4,473	4,820
Contingent consideration payments	-977	-1,026
Change in negative cash book balance	-2,576	1,829
Payments Related to Tax Withholding for Share-based Compensation	-1,978	-523
Excess Tax Benefit from Share-based Compensation, Financing Activities	1,539	249
Repurchases of common stock in the open market	-3,051	-935
Proceeds from Stock Options Exercised	81	62
Other	-4	-3
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	-2,493	4,473
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	35	22
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	3,471	-3,388
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	5,647	7,761
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	9,118	4,373
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:	'	'
Cash paid during the period for income taxes	$14,502	$10,765

Basis_of_Presentation

Basis of Presentation	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'
Basis of Presentation	'
	Basis of Presentation
	GP Strategies Corporation is a global performance improvement solutions provider of training, e-Learning solutions, management consulting and engineering services. References in this report to “GP Strategies,” the “Company,” “we” and “our” are to GP Strategies Corporation and its subsidiaries, collectively.
	The accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2014 and the condensed consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income and cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 have not been audited, but have been prepared in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2013, as presented in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013. In the opinion of management, this interim information includes all material adjustments, which are of a normal and recurring nature, necessary for a fair presentation. The results for the 2014 interim period are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected for the entire year. Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to current year presentation.
	The condensed consolidated financial statements include the operations of the Company and its subsidiaries. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated.

Accounting_Standard_Issued

Accounting Standard Issued	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Accounting Standard Issued	'
	Accounting Standard Issued
	In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which provides a single comprehensive model for entities to use in accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers and will supersede most current revenue recognition guidance. The standard’s core principle is that a company will recognize revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. ASU 2014-09 will be effective for the Company in the first quarter of its fiscal year ending December 31, 2017. The Company is currently in the process of evaluating the impact of adoption of this ASU on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

Significant_Customers_Concentr

Significant Customers & Concentration of Credit Risk	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Risks and Uncertainties [Abstract]	'
Significant Customers and Concentration of Credit Risk	'
	Significant Customers & Concentration of Credit Risk
	We have a market concentration of revenue in both the automotive sector and financial services & insurance sector. Revenue from the automotive industry accounted for approximately 14% and 16% of our consolidated revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Revenue from the financial services & insurance industry accounted for approximately 16% and 9% of our consolidated revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. In prior periods, we also had a concentration of revenue from the United States government. For the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, sales to the United States government and its agencies represented approximately 9% and 10%, respectively, of our consolidated revenue. Revenue was derived from many separate contracts with a variety of government agencies that are regarded by us as separate customers. No single customer accounted for more than 10% of our consolidated revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013. As of September 30, 2014, billed and unbilled accounts receivable from a single financial services customer totaled $19.7 million, or 15%, of our consolidated accounts receivable and costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings on uncompleted contracts balances.

Earnings_Per_Share

Earnings Per Share	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Earnings Per Share	'
		Earnings Per Share
	Basic earnings per share (EPS) is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted EPS reflects the potential dilution of common stock equivalent shares that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised or converted into common stock.
	Our dilutive common stock equivalent shares consist of stock options and restricted stock units computed under the treasury stock method, using the average market price during the period. The following table presents instruments which were not dilutive and were excluded from the computation of diluted EPS in each period, as well as the dilutive common stock equivalent shares which were included in the computation of diluted EPS:
		Three Months Ended		Nine Months Ended
		September 30,		September 30,
		2014	2013	2014	2013
		(In thousands)
	Non-dilutive instruments	—	—	—	20
	Dilutive common stock equivalents	260	279	271	255

Acquisitions

Acquisitions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Business Combinations [Abstract]	'
Acquisitions	'
		Acquisitions
	Effective Companies
	On April 1, 2014, we completed the acquisitions of Effective People and Effective Learning (the “Effective Companies”), providers of human capital management (HCM) solutions, including sales and support of the full SAP SuccessFactors Business Education (BizX) Platform, eLearning and blended learning solutions, as well as recruitment and employee development services. The Effective Companies are headquartered in Copenhagen, Denmark. The upfront purchase price was $9.0 million which was paid in cash at closing and is subject to a working capital adjustment which we expect will be finalized in the fourth quarter of 2014. In addition, the purchase agreement requires up to an additional $5.9 million of consideration, contingent upon the achievement of certain earnings targets during the two twelve-month periods following completion of the acquisition. The purchase price allocation for the acquisition included $1.6 million of customer-related intangible assets which are being amortized over four years from the acquisition date. None of the goodwill recorded for financial statement purposes is deductible for tax purposes. The acquired Effective Companies business is included in the Learning Solutions segment and the results of its operations have been included in the consolidated financial statements beginning April 1, 2014. The pro-forma impact of the acquisition is not material to our results of operations. The acquired Effective Companies business is included in our Denmark subsidiary and its local currency is the Danish Kroner. The purchase price allocation below was translated into U.S. dollars based on the exchange rate in effect on the date of acquisition.
	The estimated fair value of the purchase price recorded by us consisted of the following (in thousands):
	Cash purchase price		$	9,000
	Fair value of contingent consideration		5,345
	Estimated working capital adjustment		(91		)
	Total purchase price		$	14,254
	The preliminary purchase price allocation for the net assets acquired is as follows (in thousands):
	Cash		$	334
	Accounts receivable		1,283
	Prepaid expenses and other assets		496
	Property and equipment		80
	Amortizable intangible assets		1,613
	Goodwill		12,338
	Total assets acquired		$	16,144
	Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities		$	582
	Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts		940
	Deferred tax liability		368
	Total liabilities assumed		1,890
	Net assets acquired		$	14,254
	Contingent Consideration
	Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 805 requires that contingent consideration be recognized at fair value on the acquisition date and be re-measured each reporting period with subsequent adjustments recognized in the consolidated statement of operations. We estimate the fair value of contingent consideration liabilities based on financial projections of the acquired companies and estimated probabilities of achievement and discount the liabilities to present value using a weighted-average cost of capital. Contingent consideration is valued using significant inputs that are not observable in the market which are defined as Level 3 inputs pursuant to fair value measurement accounting. We believe our estimates and assumptions are reasonable; however, there is significant judgment involved. At each reporting date, the contingent consideration obligation is revalued to estimated fair value, and changes in fair value subsequent to the acquisitions are reflected in income or expense in the consolidated statements of operations, and could cause a material impact to, and volatility in, our operating results. Changes in the fair value of contingent consideration obligations may result from changes in discount periods, changes in the timing and amount of revenue and/or earnings estimates and changes in probability assumptions with respect to the likelihood of achieving the various earn-out criteria.
	Below is a summary of the potential contingent consideration we may be required to pay in connection with completed acquisitions as of September 30, 2014 (dollars in thousands):
		Original range
		of potential		As of September 30, 2014
		undiscounted		Maximum contingent consideration due in
	Acquisition:	payments		2014				2015				2016				Total
	Prospero	$0 - $4,482		$	—			$	1,793			$	—			$	1,793
	Effective Companies	$0 - $5,920		—				2,960				2,960				5,920
	Total			$	—			$	4,753			$	2,960			$	7,713
	Below is a summary of the changes in the recorded amount of contingent consideration liabilities from December 31, 2013 to September 30, 2014 for each acquisition (dollars in thousands):
		Liability as of				Additions				Change in				Foreign				Liability as of
		December 31,								Fair Value of				Currency				September 30,
										Contingent
	Acquisition:	2013				(Payments)				Consideration				Translation				2014
	Bath Consulting	$	997			$	(1,005	)		$	—			$	8			$	—
	Prospero	1,841				—				(1,796		)		(45		)		—
	Lorien	959				(1,015		)		31				25				—
	Effective Companies	—				5,345				252				(412		)		5,185
	Total	$	3,797			$	3,325			$	(1,513	)		$	(424	)		$	5,185
	As of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, contingent consideration considered a current liability and included in accounts payable totaled $2.7 million and $2.4 million, respectively. As of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, we also had accrued contingent consideration totaling $2.5 million and $1.4 million, respectively, related to acquisitions which are included in other long-term liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet and represent the portion of contingent consideration estimated to be payable greater than twelve months from the balance sheet date.

Intangible_Assets

Intangible Assets	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Intangible Assets	'
		Intangible Assets
	Goodwill
	Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill by reportable business segment for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 were as follows (in thousands):
		Learning			Professional			Sandy		Performance		Energy			Total
		Solutions			& Technical					Readiness		Services
					Services					Solutions
	Balance as of December 31, 2013	$	60,187		$	37,690		$	653	$	9,795	$	8,662		$	116,987
	Acquisitions	12,338			—			—		—		—			12,338
	Foreign currency translation	(1,773		)	—			—		—		(38		)	(1,811		)
	Balance as of September 30, 2014	$	70,752		$	37,690		$	653	$	9,795	$	8,624		$	127,514
	Intangible Assets Subject to Amortization
	Intangible assets with finite lives are subject to amortization over their estimated useful lives. The primary assets included in this category and their respective balances were as follows (in thousands):
	September 30, 2014
		Gross Carrying			Accumulated			Net Carrying
		Amount			Amortization			Amount
	Customer relationships	$	27,672		$	(16,655	)	$	11,017
	Tradenames	191			(191		)	—
	Intellectual property and other	2,355			(1,211		)	1,144
		$	30,218		$	(18,057	)	$	12,161
	December 31, 2013
	Customer relationships	$	26,470		$	(13,070	)	$	13,400
	Tradenames	191			(119		)	72
	Intellectual property and other	2,364			(707		)	1,657
		$	29,025		$	(13,896	)	$	15,129

StockBased_Compensation

Stock-Based Compensation	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]	'
Stock-Based Compensation	'
		Stock-Based Compensation
	We recognize compensation expense for stock-based compensation awards issued to employees that are expected to vest. Compensation cost is based on the fair value of awards as of the grant date.
	The following table summarizes the pre-tax stock-based compensation expense included in reported net income (in thousands):
		Three months ended September 30,						Nine months ended September 30,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Non-qualified stock options	$	113		$	125		$	367		$	370
	Restricted stock units	292			189			886			568
	Board of Directors stock grants	86			79			245			246
	Total stock-based compensation	$	491		$	393		$	1,498		$	1,184
	Pursuant to our 2011 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2011 Plan”), we may grant awards of non-qualified stock options, incentive stock options, restricted stock, stock units, performance shares, performance units and other incentives payable in cash or in shares of our common stock to officers, employees or members of the Board of Directors. As of September 30, 2014, we had non-qualified stock options and restricted stock units outstanding under these plans as discussed below.
	Non-Qualified Stock Options
	Summarized information for the Company’s non-qualified stock options is as follows:
		Number of		Weighted			Weighted		Aggregate
				average			average		intrinsic
							remaining
							contractual
	Stock Options	options		exercise price			term		value
	Outstanding at December 31, 2013	569,300		$	9.41
	Granted	—		—
	Exercised	(221,550	)	8.02
	Forfeited	(3,000	)	15.25
	Expired	—		—
	Outstanding at September 30, 2014	344,750		$	10.25		1.85		$	6,368,000
	Exercisable at September 30, 2014	176,450		$	9.84		1.74		$	3,332,000
	Restricted Stock Units
	In addition to stock options, we issue restricted stock units to key employees and members of the Board of Directors based on meeting certain service goals. The stock units vest to the recipients at various dates, up to five years, based on fulfilling service requirements. We recognize the value of the market price of the underlying stock on the date of grant as compensation expense over the requisite service period. Upon vesting, the stock units are settled in shares of our common stock. Summarized share information for our restricted stock units is as follows:
		Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014		Weighted
				average
				grant date
				fair value
		(In shares)		(In dollars)
	Outstanding and unvested, beginning of period	244,031		$	22.17
	Granted	6,615		24.2
	Vested	(39,850	)	18.83
	Forfeited	(2,361	)	17.75
	Outstanding and unvested, end of period	208,435		$	22.92

Debt

Debt	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Debt	'
	On September 2, 2014, in connection with the modified "Dutch auction" tender offer which is discussed in more detail in Note 10, we entered into a Fourth Amended and Restated Financing and Security Agreement (the “Credit Agreement”). The Credit Agreement provides for a revolving credit facility up to a maximum principal amount of $65 million and for a term loan in the maximum principal amount of $40 million maturing on October 31, 2017 (the “Maturity Date”), and is secured by substantially all of our assets.
	The maximum interest rate on the Credit Agreement is the daily one-month LIBOR market index rate plus 2.50%. Based on our financial performance, the interest rate can be reduced to a minimum rate of the daily one-month LIBOR market index rate plus 1.25%, with the rate being determined based on our maximum leverage ratio for the preceding four quarters. Each unpaid advance on the revolving loan will bear interest until the Maturity Date. The term loan is payable in monthly installments equal to $1.1 million plus applicable interest, beginning on November 1, 2014 and ending on the Maturity Date. We may prepay the term loan or the revolving loan, in whole or in part, at any time without premium or penalty, subject to certain conditions. Amounts repaid or prepaid on the term loan may not be reborrowed.
	The Credit Agreement contains customary affirmative and negative covenants, including covenants that limit or restrict our and our subsidiaries’ (subject to certain exceptions) ability to, among other things, grant liens, make investments, incur indebtedness, merge or consolidate, dispose of assets or make acquisitions. We are also required to maintain compliance with a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio and a maximum leverage ratio. We were in compliance with all of the financial covenants under the Credit Agreement as of September 30, 2014. As of September 30, 2014, there were $4.9 million of borrowings outstanding and $59.3 million of available borrowings under the Credit Agreement. For the nine months ended September 30, 2014, the weighted average interest rate on our borrowings was 1.6%. The tender offer closed on October 3, 2014, at which time we purchased 2,127,706 shares of our common stock for a payment of $61.7 million. To fund the payment, we used the $40 million term loan and additional borrowings under the revolving credit facility.

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Income Taxes	'
	Income Taxes
	Income tax expense was $12.4 million, or an effective income tax rate of 38.6%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 compared to $10.0 million, or an effective income tax rate of 38.0%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2013. During the third quarter of 2014, we recorded an income tax benefit of $0.6 million resulting from a claim for a deduction under Internal Revenue Code Section 199 for the Domestic Production Deduction on our 2013 U.S. federal income tax return which was not taken in previous years. We are currently evaluating whether a deduction is available to the Company for prior years in which the statute of limitations is open, and we may recognize an income tax benefit in future periods. In addition, during the first quarter of 2013, we recorded one-time income tax benefits totaling $0.4 million for a foreign subsidiary. Excluding these and other discrete items in both years, the effective income tax rate was 40.2% and 39.4% for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The increase in the effective income tax rate compared to 2013 is primarily due to a higher proportion of earnings in jurisdictions with higher tax rates. Income tax expense for the quarterly periods is based on an estimated annual effective tax rate which includes the U.S. federal, state and local, and non-U.S. statutory rates, permanent differences, and other items that may have an impact on income tax expense.
	An uncertain tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return is recognized in the financial statements when it is more likely than not (i.e., a likelihood of more than fifty percent) that the position would be sustained upon examination by tax authorities that have full knowledge of all relevant information. A recognized tax position is then measured at the largest amount of benefit that is greater than fifty percent likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement. Interest and penalties related to income taxes are accounted for as income tax expense. As of September 30, 2014, we had no uncertain tax positions reflected on our consolidated balance sheet. The Company files income tax returns in U.S. federal, state and local jurisdictions, and various non-U.S. jurisdictions, and is subject to audit by tax authorities in those jurisdictions. Tax years 2010 through 2013 remain open to examination by these tax jurisdictions, and earlier years remain open to examination in certain of these jurisdictions which have longer statutes of limitations.

Stockholders_Equity

Stockholders' Equity	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]	'
Stockholders' Equity	'
	Stockholders’ Equity
	Changes in stockholders’ equity during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 were as follows (in thousands):
		Common		Additional			Retained		Treasury			Accumulated			Total
		stock		paid-in			earnings		stock			other			stockholders’
				capital					at cost			comprehensive			equity
												loss
	Balance at December 31, 2013	$	192	$	167,908		$	27,711	$	(1,170	)	$	(1,614	)	$	193,027
	Net income	—		—			19,674		—			—			19,674
	Foreign currency translation adjustment	—		—			—		—			(2,446		)	(2,446		)
	Repurchases of common stock	—		—			—		(3,051		)	—			(3,051		)
	Stock-based compensation expense	—		1,498			—		—			—			1,498
	Income tax benefit from stock-based compensation	—		1,539			—		—			—			1,539
	Shares withheld in exchange for tax withholding payments on stock-based compensation	—		(1,978		)	—		—			—			(1,978		)
	Issuance of stock for employer contributions to retirement plan	—		169			—		1,684			—			1,853
	Net issuances of stock pursuant to stock compensation plans and other	—		(2,301		)	—		2,537			—			236
	Balance at September 30, 2014	$	192	$	166,835		$	47,385	$	—		$	(4,060	)	$	210,352
	On September 2, 2014, we announced the commencement of a modified "Dutch auction" tender offer to repurchase for cash shares of our common stock up to an aggregate purchase price of $80 million within the range of $26.00 to $29.00 per share. The tender offer expired at 12:00 midnight, New York City time, on September 29, 2014 resulting in the Company accepting for payment an aggregate of 2,127,706 shares of GP Strategies Corporation common stock at a purchase price of $29.00 per share, for an aggregate cost of approximately $61.7 million, excluding fees and expenses relating to the tender offer. The total amount of shares purchased in the tender offer represented approximately 11.1% of our issued and outstanding shares as of September 29, 2014. The transaction closed on October 3, 2014 at which time we transferred the funds for the repurchase. To fund the share repurchase, we used borrowings under an amended Credit Agreement which is discussed in more detail in Note 8. As a result of the final outcome of the tender offer, we had approximately 17,086,145 common shares issued and outstanding as of October 3, 2014.

Business_Segments

Business Segments	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Business Segments	'
	Business Segments
	As of September 30, 2014, we operated through five reportable business segments: (i) Learning Solutions, (ii) Professional & Technical Services, (iii) Sandy Training & Marketing, (iv) Performance Readiness Solutions, and (v) Energy Services. Our Learning Solutions segment represents an aggregation of two operating groups in accordance with the aggregation criteria in U.S. GAAP, while each of the other reportable segments represents individual operating segments. We are organized by operating group primarily based upon the markets served by each group and/or the services performed. Each operating group consists of business units which are focused on providing specific products and services to certain classes of customers or within targeted markets. Marketing and communications, accounting, finance, legal, human resources, information systems and other administrative services are organized at the corporate level. Business development and sales resources are aligned with operating groups to support existing customer accounts and new customer development.
	Further information regarding our business segments is discussed below.
	Learning Solutions. The Learning Solutions segment delivers training, curriculum design and development, e-Learning services, system hosting, training business process outsourcing and consulting services globally. This segment also offers organizational performance solutions including leadership training and employee engagement tools and services. This segment serves large companies in the electronics and semiconductors, healthcare, software, financial services and other industries as well as to government agencies. The ability to deliver a wide range of training services on a global basis allows this segment to take over the entire learning function for the client, including their training personnel.
	Professional & Technical Services. This segment has over four decades of experience providing training, consulting, engineering and technical services, including lean consulting, emergency preparedness, safety and regulatory compliance, chemical demilitarization and environmental services primarily to large companies in the manufacturing, steel, pharmaceutical and petrochemical industries, federal and state government agencies and large government contractors.
	Sandy Training & Marketing. The Sandy Training & Marketing segment provides custom product sales training and has been a leader in serving manufacturing customers in the U.S. automotive industry for over 30 years. Sandy provides custom product sales training designed to better educate customer sales forces with respect to new vehicle features and designs, in effect rapidly increasing the sales force knowledge base and enabling them to address detailed customer queries. Furthermore, Sandy helps our clients assess their customer relationship marketing strategy, measure performance against competitors and connect with their customers on a one-to-one basis. This segment also provides technical training services to automotive manufacturers as well as customers in other industries.
	Performance Readiness Solutions. This segment provides performance consulting and technology consulting services, including platform adoption, end-user training, change management, knowledge management, customer product training outsourcing and sales enablement solutions in industries such as manufacturing, aerospace, healthcare, life sciences, consumer products, financial, telecommunications, services and higher education as well as the public sector.
	Energy Services. The Energy Services segment provides engineering services, products and training primarily to electric power generators. Our proprietary EtaPROTM Performance and Condition Monitoring System provides a suite of real-time software solutions for power generation facilities and is installed on power generating units across the world. In addition to providing custom training solutions, this segment provides web-based training through our GPiLearnTM portal, which offers a variety of courses to power plant personnel in the U.S. and other countries. This segment also provides services to users of alternative fuels, including designing and constructing liquefied natural gas (LNG), liquid to compressed natural gas (LCNG) and hydrogen fueling stations, as well as supplying fuel and equipment.
	We do not allocate the following items to the segments: other income, interest expense, gain (loss) on change in fair value of contingent consideration and income tax expense. Inter-segment revenue is eliminated in consolidation and is not significant.
	The following tables set forth the revenue and operating results attributable to each reportable segment and includes a reconciliation of segment revenue to consolidated revenue and operating results to consolidated income before income tax expense (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended					Nine Months Ended
		September 30,					September 30,
		2014			2013		2014		2013
	Revenue:
	Learning Solutions	$	60,811		$	49,304	$	175,748	$	137,223
	Professional & Technical Services	20,226			19,157		58,925		54,220
	Sandy Training & Marketing	15,883			16,929		50,364		52,061
	Performance Readiness Solutions	13,315			13,037		40,454		41,491
	Energy Services	13,634			14,770		51,176		34,474
		$	123,869		$	113,197	$	376,667	$	319,469
	Operating income:
	Learning Solutions	$	3,045		$	4,120	$	7,356	$	10,886
	Professional & Technical Services	2,383			1,530		6,384		4,335
	Sandy Training & Marketing	1,023			975		3,204		2,797
	Performance Readiness Solutions	1,354			907		2,953		1,802
	Energy Services	2,850			2,673		10,829		5,992
	Gain on change in fair value of contingent consideration, net	655			135		1,513		427
	Operating income	11,310			10,340		32,239		26,239
	Interest expense	117			90		399		256
	Other income (expense)	(72		)	4		185		326
	Income before income tax expense	$	11,121		$	10,254	$	32,025	$	26,309

Accounting_Standard_Issued_Pol

Accounting Standard Issued (Policy)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
New Accounting Pronouncements	'
	In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which provides a single comprehensive model for entities to use in accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers and will supersede most current revenue recognition guidance. The standard’s core principle is that a company will recognize revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. ASU 2014-09 will be effective for the Company in the first quarter of its fiscal year ending December 31, 2017. The Company is currently in the process of evaluating the impact of adoption of this ASU on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

Earnings_Per_Share_Tables

Earnings Per Share (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted	'
	The following table presents instruments which were not dilutive and were excluded from the computation of diluted EPS in each period, as well as the dilutive common stock equivalent shares which were included in the computation of diluted EPS:
		Three Months Ended		Nine Months Ended
		September 30,		September 30,
		2014	2013	2014	2013
		(In thousands)
	Non-dilutive instruments	—	—	—	20
	Dilutive common stock equivalents	260	279	271	255

Acquisitions_Tables

Acquisitions (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Business Combinations [Abstract]	'
Fair value of purchase price and allocation for net assets acquired	'
	The estimated fair value of the purchase price recorded by us consisted of the following (in thousands):
	Cash purchase price		$	9,000
	Fair value of contingent consideration		5,345
	Estimated working capital adjustment		(91		)
	Total purchase price		$	14,254
	The preliminary purchase price allocation for the net assets acquired is as follows (in thousands):
	Cash		$	334
	Accounts receivable		1,283
	Prepaid expenses and other assets		496
	Property and equipment		80
	Amortizable intangible assets		1,613
	Goodwill		12,338
	Total assets acquired		$	16,144
	Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities		$	582
	Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts		940
	Deferred tax liability		368
	Total liabilities assumed		1,890
	Net assets acquired		$	14,254
Summary of potential contingent consideration	'
	Below is a summary of the potential contingent consideration we may be required to pay in connection with completed acquisitions as of September 30, 2014 (dollars in thousands):
		Original range
		of potential		As of September 30, 2014
		undiscounted		Maximum contingent consideration due in
	Acquisition:	payments		2014				2015				2016				Total
	Prospero	$0 - $4,482		$	—			$	1,793			$	—			$	1,793
	Effective Companies	$0 - $5,920		—				2,960				2,960				5,920
	Total			$	—			$	4,753			$	2,960			$	7,713
Summary of changes in recorded amount of contingent consideration	'
	Below is a summary of the changes in the recorded amount of contingent consideration liabilities from December 31, 2013 to September 30, 2014 for each acquisition (dollars in thousands):
		Liability as of				Additions				Change in				Foreign				Liability as of
		December 31,								Fair Value of				Currency				September 30,
										Contingent
	Acquisition:	2013				(Payments)				Consideration				Translation				2014
	Bath Consulting	$	997			$	(1,005	)		$	—			$	8			$	—
	Prospero	1,841				—				(1,796		)		(45		)		—
	Lorien	959				(1,015		)		31				25				—
	Effective Companies	—				5,345				252				(412		)		5,185
	Total	$	3,797			$	3,325			$	(1,513	)		$	(424	)		$	5,185

Intangible_Assets_Tables

Intangible Assets (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Goodwill	'
	Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill by reportable business segment for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 were as follows (in thousands):
		Learning			Professional			Sandy		Performance		Energy			Total
		Solutions			& Technical					Readiness		Services
					Services					Solutions
	Balance as of December 31, 2013	$	60,187		$	37,690		$	653	$	9,795	$	8,662		$	116,987
	Acquisitions	12,338			—			—		—		—			12,338
	Foreign currency translation	(1,773		)	—			—		—		(38		)	(1,811		)
	Balance as of September 30, 2014	$	70,752		$	37,690		$	653	$	9,795	$	8,624		$	127,514
Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets	'
	The primary assets included in this category and their respective balances were as follows (in thousands):
	September 30, 2014
		Gross Carrying			Accumulated			Net Carrying
		Amount			Amortization			Amount
	Customer relationships	$	27,672		$	(16,655	)	$	11,017
	Tradenames	191			(191		)	—
	Intellectual property and other	2,355			(1,211		)	1,144
		$	30,218		$	(18,057	)	$	12,161
	December 31, 2013
	Customer relationships	$	26,470		$	(13,070	)	$	13,400
	Tradenames	191			(119		)	72
	Intellectual property and other	2,364			(707		)	1,657
		$	29,025		$	(13,896	)	$	15,129

StockBased_Compensation_Tables

Stock-Based Compensation (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Compensation Cost for Share-based Payment Arrangements, Allocation of Share-based Compensation Costs by Plan	'
	The following table summarizes the pre-tax stock-based compensation expense included in reported net income (in thousands):
		Three months ended September 30,						Nine months ended September 30,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Non-qualified stock options	$	113		$	125		$	367		$	370
	Restricted stock units	292			189			886			568
	Board of Directors stock grants	86			79			245			246
	Total stock-based compensation	$	491		$	393		$	1,498		$	1,184
Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Stock Options, Activity	'
	Summarized information for the Company’s non-qualified stock options is as follows:
		Number of		Weighted			Weighted		Aggregate
				average			average		intrinsic
							remaining
							contractual
	Stock Options	options		exercise price			term		value
	Outstanding at December 31, 2013	569,300		$	9.41
	Granted	—		—
	Exercised	(221,550	)	8.02
	Forfeited	(3,000	)	15.25
	Expired	—		—
	Outstanding at September 30, 2014	344,750		$	10.25		1.85		$	6,368,000
	Exercisable at September 30, 2014	176,450		$	9.84		1.74		$	3,332,000
Schedule of Nonvested Restricted Stock Units Activity	'
	Summarized share information for our restricted stock units is as follows:
		Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014		Weighted
				average
				grant date
				fair value
		(In shares)		(In dollars)
	Outstanding and unvested, beginning of period	244,031		$	22.17
	Granted	6,615		24.2
	Vested	(39,850	)	18.83
	Forfeited	(2,361	)	17.75
	Outstanding and unvested, end of period	208,435		$	22.92

Stockholders_Equity_Tables

Stockholders' Equity (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Stockholders Equity	'
	Changes in stockholders’ equity during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 were as follows (in thousands):
		Common		Additional			Retained		Treasury			Accumulated			Total
		stock		paid-in			earnings		stock			other			stockholders’
				capital					at cost			comprehensive			equity
												loss
	Balance at December 31, 2013	$	192	$	167,908		$	27,711	$	(1,170	)	$	(1,614	)	$	193,027
	Net income	—		—			19,674		—			—			19,674
	Foreign currency translation adjustment	—		—			—		—			(2,446		)	(2,446		)
	Repurchases of common stock	—		—			—		(3,051		)	—			(3,051		)
	Stock-based compensation expense	—		1,498			—		—			—			1,498
	Income tax benefit from stock-based compensation	—		1,539			—		—			—			1,539
	Shares withheld in exchange for tax withholding payments on stock-based compensation	—		(1,978		)	—		—			—			(1,978		)
	Issuance of stock for employer contributions to retirement plan	—		169			—		1,684			—			1,853
	Net issuances of stock pursuant to stock compensation plans and other	—		(2,301		)	—		2,537			—			236
	Balance at September 30, 2014	$	192	$	166,835		$	47,385	$	—		$	(4,060	)	$	210,352

Business_Segments_Tables

Business Segments (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Reconciliation of Revenue from Segments to Consolidated	'
	The following tables set forth the revenue and operating results attributable to each reportable segment and includes a reconciliation of segment revenue to consolidated revenue and operating results to consolidated income before income tax expense (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended					Nine Months Ended
		September 30,					September 30,
		2014			2013		2014		2013
	Revenue:
	Learning Solutions	$	60,811		$	49,304	$	175,748	$	137,223
	Professional & Technical Services	20,226			19,157		58,925		54,220
	Sandy Training & Marketing	15,883			16,929		50,364		52,061
	Performance Readiness Solutions	13,315			13,037		40,454		41,491
	Energy Services	13,634			14,770		51,176		34,474
		$	123,869		$	113,197	$	376,667	$	319,469
	Operating income:
	Learning Solutions	$	3,045		$	4,120	$	7,356	$	10,886
	Professional & Technical Services	2,383			1,530		6,384		4,335
	Sandy Training & Marketing	1,023			975		3,204		2,797
	Performance Readiness Solutions	1,354			907		2,953		1,802
	Energy Services	2,850			2,673		10,829		5,992
	Gain on change in fair value of contingent consideration, net	655			135		1,513		427
	Operating income	11,310			10,340		32,239		26,239
	Interest expense	117			90		399		256
	Other income (expense)	(72		)	4		185		326
	Income before income tax expense	$	11,121		$	10,254	$	32,025	$	26,309

Significant_Customers_Concentr1

Significant Customers & Concentration of Credit Risk (Details Textual) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified			Single Customer [Member]	Single Customer [Member]	Single Financial Services Customer [Member]	Automotive Industry [Member]	Automotive Industry [Member]	Financial & Insurance Industry [Member] [Member]	Financial & Insurance Industry [Member] [Member]	United States Government [Member]	United States Government [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Concentration risk percentage	'	'	10.00%	10.00%	15.00%	14.00%	16.00%	16.00%	9.00%	9.00%	10.00%
Unbilled accounts receivable	$89,064	$94,662	'	'	$19,700	'	'	'	'	'	'

Earnings_Per_Share_Details

Earnings Per Share (Details)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Non-dilutive instruments	0	0	0	20
Dilutive common stock equivalents	260	279	271	255

Acquisitions_Details

Acquisitions (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Apr. 01, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified			Effective Companies [Member]	Effective Companies [Member]	Prospero [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Cash purchase price	'	'	'	$9,000	'
Fair value of contingent consideration	'	'	'	5,345	'
Estimated working capital adjustment	'	'	'	-91	'
Total purchase price	'	'	'	14,254	'
Cash	'	'	'	334	'
Accounts receivable	'	'	'	1,283	'
Prepaid expenses and other assets	'	'	'	496	'
Property and equipment	'	'	'	80	'
Amortizable intangible assets	'	'	'	1,613	'
Goodwill	127,514	116,987	'	12,338	'
Total assets acquired	'	'	'	16,144	'
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities	'	'	'	582	'
Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts	'	'	'	940	'
Deferred tax liability	'	'	'	368	'
Total liabilities assumed	'	'	'	1,890	'
Net assets acquired	'	'	'	14,254	'
Maximum contingent consideration due in 2014	0	'	'	'	0
Maximum contingent consideration due in 2015	4,753	'	2,960	'	1,793
Maximum contingent consideration due in 2016	2,960	'	2,960	'	0
Maximum contingent consideration due Total	7,713	'	5,920	'	1,793
Original range of potential undiscounted payments minimum	'	'	0	'	0
Original range of potential undiscounted payments maximum	'	'	$5,921	'	$4,482

Acquisitions_Details_1

Acquisitions (Details 1) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'
Beginning Liability	$3,797
Additions (Payments)	3,325
Change in Fair Value of Contingent Consideration	-1,513
Foreign Currency Translation	-424
Ending Liability	5,185
Bath Consulting [Member]	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'
Beginning Liability	997
Additions (Payments)	-1,005
Change in Fair Value of Contingent Consideration	0
Foreign Currency Translation	8
Ending Liability	0
Prospero [Member]	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'
Beginning Liability	1,841
Additions (Payments)	0
Change in Fair Value of Contingent Consideration	-1,796
Foreign Currency Translation	-45
Ending Liability	0
Lorien [Member]	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'
Beginning Liability	959
Additions (Payments)	-1,015
Change in Fair Value of Contingent Consideration	31
Foreign Currency Translation	25
Ending Liability	0
Effective Companies [Member]	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'
Beginning Liability	0
Additions (Payments)	5,345
Change in Fair Value of Contingent Consideration	252
Foreign Currency Translation	-412
Ending Liability	$5,185

Acquisitions_Details_Textual

Acquisitions (Details Textual) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'
Business acquisition contingent consideration, other long term liability	$2,467	$1,392
Business acquisition contingent consideration, accounts payable	$2,718	$2,405

Intangible_Assets_Details

Intangible Assets (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014
Goodwill [Roll Forward]	'
Beginning Balance	$116,987
Acquisitions	12,338
Foreign currency translation	-1,811
Ending Balance	127,514
Learning Solutions [Member]	'
Goodwill [Roll Forward]	'
Beginning Balance	60,187
Acquisitions	12,338
Foreign currency translation	-1,773
Ending Balance	70,752
Professional and Technical Services [Member]	'
Goodwill [Roll Forward]	'
Beginning Balance	37,690
Acquisitions	0
Foreign currency translation	0
Ending Balance	37,690
Sandy [Member]	'
Goodwill [Roll Forward]	'
Beginning Balance	653
Acquisitions	0
Foreign currency translation	0
Ending Balance	653
Performance Readiness Group [Member]	'
Goodwill [Roll Forward]	'
Beginning Balance	9,795
Acquisitions	0
Foreign currency translation	0
Ending Balance	9,795
Energy Services [Member]	'
Goodwill [Roll Forward]	'
Beginning Balance	8,662
Acquisitions	0
Foreign currency translation	-38
Ending Balance	$8,624

Intangible_Assets_Details_1

Intangible Assets (Details 1) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Gross Carrying Amount	$30,218	$29,025
Accumulated Amortization	-18,057	-13,896
Net Carrying Amount	12,161	15,129
Customer relationships [Member]	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Gross Carrying Amount	27,672	26,470
Accumulated Amortization	-16,655	-13,070
Net Carrying Amount	11,017	13,400
Tradenames [Member]	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Gross Carrying Amount	191	191
Accumulated Amortization	-191	-119
Net Carrying Amount	0	72
Intellectual property and other [Member]	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Gross Carrying Amount	2,355	2,364
Accumulated Amortization	-1,211	-707
Net Carrying Amount	$1,144	$1,657

StockBased_Compensation_Detail

Stock-Based Compensation (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total stock-based compensation expense	$491	$393	$1,498	$1,184
Non-qualified stock options [Member]	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total stock-based compensation expense	113	125	367	370
Restricted stock units [Member]	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total stock-based compensation expense	292	189	886	568
Board of Directors stock grants [Member]	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total stock-based compensation expense	$86	$79	$245	$246

StockBased_Compensation_Detail1

Stock-Based Compensation (Details 1) (Non Qualified Stock Option [Member], USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014
Non Qualified Stock Option [Member]	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'
Outstanding at December 31, 2013, Number of options	569,300
Granted, Number of options	0
Exercised, Number of options	-221,550
Forfeited, Number of options	-3,000
Expired, Number of options	0
Outstanding at June 30, 2014, Number of options	344,750
Exercisable at June 30, 2014, Number of options	176,450
Outstanding at December 31, 2013, Weighted average exercise price	$9.41
Granted, Weighted average exercise price	$0
Exercised, Weighted average exercise price	$8.02
Forfeited, Weighted average exercise price	$15.25
Expired, Weighted average exercise price	$0
Outstanding at June 30, 2014, Weighted average exercise price	$10.25
Exercisable at June 30, 2014, Weighted average exercise price	$9.84
Outstanding at June 30, 2014, Weighted average remaining contractual term	'1 year 10 months 5 days
Exercisable at June 30, 2014, Weighted average remaining contractual term	'1 year 8 months 27 days
Outstanding at June 30, 2014, Aggregate intrinsic value	$6,368
Exercisable at June 30, 2014, Aggregate intrinsic value	$3,332

StockBased_Compensation_Detail2

Stock-Based Compensation (Details 2) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
RSU [Roll Forward]	'
Outstanding and unvested, beginning of period	244,031
Granted	6,615
Vested	-39,850
Forfeited	-2,361
Outstanding and unvested, end of period	208,435
Outstanding and unvested, beginning of period, Weighted average grant date fair value	$22.17
Granted, Weighted average grant date fair value	$24.20
Vested, Weighted average grant date fair value	$18.83
Forfeited, Weighted average grant date fair value	$17.75
Outstanding and unvested, end of period, Weighted average grant date fair value	$22.92
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]	'
RSU [Roll Forward]	'
Vesting period	'5 years

Debt_Details_Textual

Debt (Details Textual) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended		0 Months Ended		0 Months Ended	9 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 02, 2014	Oct. 03, 2014	Oct. 03, 2014	Sep. 02, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014
				Subsequent Event [Member]	Subsequent Event [Member]	Maximum [Member]	Minimum [Member]	Financing and Security Agreement [Member]	Financing and Security Agreement [Member]	Financing and Security Agreement [Member]
									LIBOR [Member]	LIBOR [Member]
									Maximum [Member]	Minimum [Member]
Short-term Debt [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Borrowing capacity	'	'	$65,000,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Long-term Debt, Gross	'	'	40,000,000	'	40,000,000	'	'	'	'	'
Line of Credit Facility, Interest Rate Description	'	'	'	'	'	'LIBOR market index rate plus 2.50%	'LIBOR market index rate plus 1.25%	'	'	'
Interest rate spread	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	2.25%	1.00%
Debt Instrument, Periodic Payment, Principal	1,111,111.11	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Borrowing outstanding	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	4,880,000	'	'
Available borrowings	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	59,317,000	'	'
Weighted average interest rate	'	1.60%	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Stock Repurchased During Period, Shares	'	'	'	2,127,706	'	'	'	'	'	'
Payments for Repurchase of Equity	'	'	'	$61,700,000	'	'	'	'	'	'

Income_Taxes_Details_Textual

Income Taxes (Details Textual) (USD $)	3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'
Income tax expense	$3,877	$4,111	'	$12,351	$9,994
Effective income tax rate	'	'	'	38.60%	38.00%
One time income tax benefits	$600	'	$373	'	'
Effective income tax rate excluding discrete items	'	'	'	40.20%	39.40%

Stockholders_Equity_Details

Stockholders' Equity (Details) (USD $)

0 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

Sep. 29, 2014

Sep. 02, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 29, 2014

Sep. 02, 2014

Oct. 03, 2014

Oct. 03, 2014

Sep. 02, 2014

Sep. 02, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Subsequent Event [Member]

Subsequent Event [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Common Stock [Member]

Common Stock [Member]

Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]

Retained Earnings [Member]

Treasury Stock [Member]

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]

Class of Stock [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Stock Repurchase Program, Authorized Amount

'

$80,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Stock Repurchase Program, Authorized Per Share Range

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$26

$29

'

'

'

'

'

'

Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Beginning Balance

'

'

'

'

193,027,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

192,000

192,000

167,908,000

27,711,000

-1,170,000

-1,614,000

Net income

'

'

7,244,000

6,143,000

19,674,000

16,315,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

19,674,000

'

'

Foreign currency translation adjustment

'

'

'

'

-2,446,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-2,446,000

Repurchases of common stock

'

'

'

'

-3,051,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-3,051,000

'

Stock-based compensation expense

'

'

491,000

393,000

1,498,000

1,184,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,498,000

'

'

'

Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Tax Benefit from Compensation Expense

'

'

'

'

1,539,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,539,000

'

'

'

Payments Related to Tax Withholding for Share-based Compensation

'

'

'

'

-1,978,000

-523,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-1,978,000

'

'

'

Issuance of stock for employer contributions to retirement plan

'

'

'

'

1,853,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

169,000

'

1,684,000

'

Other

'

'

'

'

236,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-2,301,000

'

2,537,000

'

Ending Balance

'

'

210,352,000

'

210,352,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

192,000

192,000

166,835,000

47,385,000

0

-4,060,000

Stock Repurchased During Period, Shares

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2,127,706

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Treasury Stock Acquired, Average Cost Per Share

$29

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Payments for Repurchase of Equity

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

61,700,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Stock Repurchase Program, Percentage of Outstanding Shares Repurchased

'

'

'

'

'

'

11.10%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

17,086,145

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Long-term Debt, Gross

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$40,000,000

'

$40,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Business_Segments_Details

Business Segments (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
			segment
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Number of reportable business segments	'	'	5	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Revenue	$123,869	$113,197	$376,667	$319,469
Gain on change in fair value of contingent consideration, net	655	135	1,513	427
Operating income	11,310	10,340	32,239	26,239
Interest expense	117	90	399	256
Other income (expense)	-72	4	185	326
Income before income tax expense	11,121	10,254	32,025	26,309
Learning Solutions [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Revenue	60,811	49,304	175,748	137,223
Operating income	3,045	4,120	7,356	10,886
Professional and Technical Services [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Revenue	20,226	19,157	58,925	54,220
Operating income	2,383	1,530	6,384	4,335
Sandy Training and Marketing [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Revenue	15,883	16,929	50,364	52,061
Operating income	1,023	975	3,204	2,797
Performance Readiness Solutions [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Revenue	13,315	13,037	40,454	41,491
Operating income	1,354	907	2,953	1,802
Energy Services [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Revenue	13,634	14,770	51,176	34,474
Operating income	$2,850	$2,673	$10,829	$5,992