CIPD Press release -
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Employers
prioritise management and leadership training to survive recession
23rd
March 2009
Training
and developing staff remains an important priority for employers, despite the
economic downturn, but budgets are being squeezed and prioritisation of management
and leadership development is the order of the day, according to the Chartered
Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD).
Seven
in 10 employers say learning and development remains a high priority regardless
of the financial situation - while almost half state that their economic/funding
situation has worsened (46%), only a third (32%) say funding for training has
been cut this year. A similar number (36%) also expect funding to decline next
year.
The
vast majority (81%) of learning, training and development managers in a survey
of almost 900 have highlighted the development of management and leadership as
the most important skill to embed in UK organisations in order to meet business
objectives during the recession. Sixty-one per cent of those surveyed are investing
in new programmes to develop the role of line managers to help them deliver effective
training.
And
despite government's effort to ensure skills gained from school, college or university
qualifications directly relate to the world of business, 61% of respondents highlight
business skills/acumen as deficient among this group. Business skills/acumen is
also recognised as a key skill to develop in order to meet business objectives
in the future.
Claire
McCartney, Organisation, Resourcing and Performance adviser, CIPD, says:
"The
recession is undoubtedly placing pressure on training budgets, but there is no
evidence of budgets being slashed indiscriminately. A skilled and motivated workforce
will be essential to ensure organisations are well placed to take advantage of
the recovery when it comes.
'Our
evidence shows that employers recognise this and are doing what they can to ensure
skills don't stagnate despite the tough conditions. The importance of training
line managers will also be crucial to building the resilience needed to emerge
in good shape for recovery. With training budgets under pressure, they will have
a big role to play in ensuring on-the-job learning is delivered and in prioritising
the training needs of their teams.'
'Government
could do more to help. The CIPD wants to see more of the Train to Gain budget
spent on management and leadership training - particularly to support SMEs. Well
trained people managers can have a direct and valuable impact on the performance
of their staff and their organisation's success.'
Source:
CIPD
Find
out more about jml's Leadership & Management Development Training Here
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See
also:
Ruling
on the Default Retirement Age in the UK - jml Training Blog September 2009
CIPD
highlights importance of work-based training - March 09
CIPD
guide helps HR navigate the coaching maze - November 08
Flexible
working - October 2008 Equality and Human Rights Commission and Chartered Institute
of Personnel and Development
