Wed, 10 Jun 2009
Staff training is increasingly important
during difficult economic times because it is important to ensure that
workers are properly prepared and utilised, an expert has
claimed.
Increasing numbers of employers in the UK are opting to invest money in staff training during the recession, an expert in the sector has said. Paul Holme, regional skills director for the Learning and Skills Council, said increasing numbers of employees are learning at work to increase their skill levels and add to their repertoire of qualifications. He said that during the tough economic period, it is advisable to invest in staff training because it is all the more important to fully utilise staff during an economic downturn.
The expert claimed many workers are opting to study - whether through e-learning courses or learning at work - because they need to retrain for a new job. Among those who might study for these reasons are those who have lost their jobs through redundancy or people who want to start a new career.
Mr Holme asserted that all companies should conduct a skills audit to establish what staff training needs to be undertaken to improve the performance of a workforce. "Whilst a skills audit is not a specific requirement, undertaking one would give them a better knowledge of their existing work base enabling them to focus their resources more effectively," he commented. He said that by making the Skills Pledge to invest in employees, firms could differentiate themselves from the crowd as an attractive place for good quality workers, as well as potential clients. According to figures released by the Work Foundation in March, 40 per cent of employees believe they have more skills than their jobs require. Some 20 per cent of graduates were found to be working in "low knowledge content" jobs.
Thanks for your help,
The learndirect team