Investing in training courses could benefit
businesses in the long run, experts suggest.
Business training courses should be a priority for companies that want to keep their staff engaged.
This is the view of Prakash Chugani, general manager of human resource development at outsourcing firm Dulsco in the UAE.
Speaking to Emirates Business, Mr Chugani said training courses offered as part of development programmes could "augment growth of trained professionals and keep them engaged".
He said those running a business should consider whether they are able to offer employees the opportunity to develop their skills.
"Trained professionals are always looking for opportunities and challenges to express their skills and to contribute to the best of their abilities in any environment," Mr Chugani added.
His sentiments are echoed by Mark Whitmore, a human resources executive with Westfield Insurance in the USA.
Mr Whitmore told Crain's Cleveland Business that training courses should continue to be offered to employees if companies want to stay competitive in the long run.
Firms that stop investing in training courses could find themselves lagging once the economy strengthens, he suggested.
"You're liable to end up in a situation where the economy is doing well but you don't have the skilled people to take advantage of it," Mr Whitmore warned.
Last year, Peter Mandelson, secretary of state for business, enterprise and regulatory reform, made a similar comment when he suggested investing in training courses could help safeguard companies' futures.
"Those that invest in training are less likely to fail," said Mr Mandelson, adding that "first-class workplace skills will be key to prospering" when economic conditions improve.
