They have contributed, without doubt, to GE's success and its lead over all its competition. Strive to attract people who think big and broadly and diversely. Outsource technical skills, hire for strategic and selling skills. It is relatively easy to find instructional designers and content experts. There are numerous consulting companies that can provide writing, design and computer skills.
Contractors can conduct interviews and create surveys and tabulate data.
But only good internal people can develop and influence management and employees alike. Don't become trapped in the web of technical expertise and find your organization focused more on its own needs than the customer's. Look for candidates in all walks of life. There is no set previous career or set of experiences that necessarily makes a good contributor in a corporate university. What seems to make a difference is that the person be flexible and willing to experiment, have strong persuasive skills, and have an eclectic range of interests and hobbies.