What with the recession and all, the Institute of Directors have found themselves with a little extra time on their hands, so they’ve decided to have a chat with 1,000 business leaders.  My invitation must have been lost in the post.  This chat, probably over brandy and Hob Nobs by an open fire, revealed that over the last 6 months 80% of the directors either maintained or increased their organisations training budgets.  But as one hand gives and the other hand takes, as 47% declared that their training focused on short courses that directly addressed their businesses needs, rather than long term universal training.  I now have a flurry of stats, so prepare yourself: 76% believe training increases employee morale, 69% believe it enhances customer satisfaction, 62% think it aids staff retention, 21% believe training improves recruitment and 43% believe in the Easter Bunny.  For more training information check out these videos

The affects of the recession are spreading far and wide as a joint report from SkillSoft and OnePoll shows 30% of employees in Europe are being under trained due to financial cutbacks imposed due to the recession.  It’s scary stuff especially if those one of those 30% are being left to prepare my drinks at the lodge. SkillSoft and OnePoll have really rolled their sleeves up and dived into the deep end of the stats.  As 80% of employers across Europe offer some sort of training, but 76% of staff think this training could be better.  A further 61% of staff think that training and personal development is important when applying for a new role. You may be wondering why I’m telling you this?  In part it’s to show off my stat mastery, but mostly it’s to show you exactly how important training is and how it should be top of your list when you’re asked if you have any questions in an interview and will show that you’re thinking about a long term future with this company.  If you’re wondering what companies have to say about training here are some videos on the subject.

Our friends over at Enterprise Rent-A-Car have been getting their research on, as the kids say.  Yes when they’re renting cars to the nation they find time talk to their staff. I once tried talking to my staff, but you know the saying pay peanuts, get monkeys?  Well, I had **** thrown at me! Enterprise are obviously better employers then old Boss Hanson, so they’ve started looking at other employers and have found that only 37% of new employees are provided with some ‘welcome training’, despite 71% saying they’d have liked it.  Enterprise found themselves 1500 businesses to talk to and of the 37% of employees from these businesses who’d received their welcome training 78% said it had been useful and had reinforced their decision to join that company. As graduates and first timers in having full time jobs welcome or on-board training is essential to you, but Enterprise found that 75% of employers do not offer any training or even communication between an employee accepting the job and starting it.  It’s something to bear in mind when you’re in an interview and a good question to ask any recruiter.  Now if you’ll excuse the monkeys are getting restless.

Once upon a time in an office far, far away an essential employment skill thought to be tying ones shoe laces or the ability to where your bowler hat at a jaunty angle, but times have changed.  It appears that employers no longer look at these skills as they once did and that in this new age of technology touch typing is one of the most sought after skills. The touch typers over at Pitman Training claim that a keyboard is more than just a paperweight.  In fact they’re so passionate about touch typing that they claim it’s critically important for anybody and everybody.  In fact Keith Wymer of Pitman Training went on to give some examples saying that a PA should be able to type at least 70 words per minute (wpm) and administrators and IT professionals should be able to manage 45 wpm.  In reality it’s all about showing your skills and abilities match with the expectations of your employer, so get out there and type! Got typing in the bag? Brilliant why not consider what other training is on offer at companies here

Sainsbury’s staff are to be offered formal qualifications in stock-taking and store working as well as basic maths and English literacy skills - equivalent to five good GCSEs. It will also offer web-based courses in basic maths and English, equivalent to a GCSE grade D, to staff who need them. The basic skills courses are designed to let staff progress at their own pace and will use questions set in a retail context such as pricing and weights.  The government wants more employers to offer skills training courses. McDonalds, airline Flybe and Network Rail, were the first firms to be approved to offer the in-house courses. Try something new today…?!