A radical shift in thinking is needed within UK organisations if they are to get to grips with the new ways of developing skills required by 'the knowledge economy', according to the CIPD.

The growth in industries reliant primarily on their employees knowledge and know-how place a big emphasis in employees creativity, but, says the CIPD, managers and learners are struggling to find the time or the motivation to develop these crucial skills.

The CIPD's Jennifer Schramm stressed the role of training professionals in making sure training and development was given a key priority: "Trainers need to expand their role in the organisation and understand more about its aims. They need to create a supportive culture where both line managers and employees are encouraged to actively participate in learning. Any good work done through training is undone if it is not followed up by line managers."