Think training is over-rated? Over half of staff would leave their jobs if not offered it

The importance of providing training to staff has been highlighted in a recent survey.

The survey, by business print provider Instantprint, revealed that 56 per cent of workers would leave their current role if their employers stopped providing training, and nearly one-third (31 per cent) have previously left a position because of this issue.

It is HR employees that place the most importance on workplace training, with eight in 10 (80 per cent) saying they’d leave a job with no development opportunities, and four in 10 (40 per cent) saying they had done so in the past.

Despite the importance of training to employees, there is a shortfall in what employers are providing:

· One in five employers (21 per cent) provide no ongoing training for their employees
· 34 per cen t of employees have not been offered induction training for new starters
· Four in 10 companies (41 per cent) won’t fund relevant qualifications for employees

Training opportunities are thicker on the ground in the South of England. Eight in 10 workers in the South (80 per cent) are offered training from their employers, compared to just two-thirds (66 per cent) of those up North.

Age also has an effect on training opportunities. 40 per cent of those born before 1981 were given no training on starting their current role, compared to just one-quarter (26 per cent) of those born post-1981.

The survey also highlighted what employers should be doing to improve training opportunities. Just 59 per cent of staff are currently satisfied with offerings from their employers. The most common take away people want from their training is personal development.

Employees also selected the most effective forms of training their employers could provide:

· Four in 10 (43 per cent) would prefer on-the-job training
· One-quarter (25 per cent) want a coaching or mentoring programme
· 15 per cent want to train through eLearning opportunities

James Kinsella, CEO of instantprint, said: “Workplace training is vital if you want your staff to stick with you and be performing at their best. This survey has revealed a serious shortfall between the training employees expect and what they’re currently getting in workplace training offers across the UK.

“All companies should offer induction and ongoing training to staff, to help them settle in and achieve a fulfilling career. To help employees reach their goals, organisations should work to provide personal development plans for workers, tailored to each employees’ objectives and aspirations.”