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Half of West Country employers have no training plan

Over half (51%) of employees in the West Country say their employers have no formal training plans in place for the coming year – despite the growing need for a skilled workforce.

That’s the finding of a new survey conducted on behalf of the Learning and Skills Council’s Train to Gain programme, which explored the level of training provided for employees across all sectors in Bristol, South Gloucestershire, North Somerset and Bath and North East Somerset.

While 72% of respondents are regularly offered training, the research also revealed that a staggering 11% feel they do not receive adequate training to carry out their jobs effectively. What’s more, almost a fifth (19%) believe their employer does not value training highly.

The results come as the Government warns that skills and training are becoming increasingly important for the survival of UK businesses. In fact, Treasury research has shown that within a decade there will be very few unskilled jobs as new technologies continue to emerge and the economy becomes increasingly global.

Developing the right skills is fundamental to business success. Employers often recognise the need to train but clearly do not always address that need. The fact that almost half of the West Country’s employees feel their organisations have no training plan in place is worrying, as it means employers are not always best placed to meet the challenges of the 21st Century, including maintaining staff morale and improving recruitment and retention.

“Help to develop appropriate training is available through Train to Gain, whose team of skills brokers can provide free consultations and expert advice to both diagnose and meet a company’s skills needs according to its business requirements and circumstances.”

Since its launch in 2006 Train to Gain has helped more than 52,000 employers to develop training programmes. To find out more about how Train to Gain can help, employers should call 08456 047 047 or visit traintogain.gov.uk.