So, we’ve released our annual Training Industry Benchmark Report, which surveys training professionals across a broad range of subjects – and the verdict is in: Brexit means bad news for the industry.
Respondents were asked: ‘Overall, what impact do you believe Brexit will have on the training industry?’ and, much like the referendum result itself, it was a narrow but clear victory.
53% believe that Britain’s decision to leave the European Union will have a negative impact on the training landscape. Just 5% foresee a positive impact, while a further 42% feel that there will be no change whatsoever.
Advantages and Disadvantages for Training Companies
The report also highlighted the most common Brexit-related fears among training professionals, which reflect concerns across the country: The economy and the workforce. Chief among the perceived disadvantages were a lack of continued support from the EU and a sharp decline in global delegates and overseas professionals.
However, those concerns may be offset by the advantages professionals hope, if not optimistically, that withdrawal from the EU will bring. Encouraging homegrown talent topped the list, with 42% believing that this is the single biggest gain for Britain’s training industry. This was followed by an increase in training requested by companies seeking the competitive edge (26%) and decreased regulation (21%). And while many consider Brexit a negative for British training organisations, many took a pragmatic approach, claiming its impact remains unclear at this stage.
'The Technology Deficit'
Our report also warns of what we’ve dubbed a ‘technology deficit’ in the training sphere, confirming what has long been axiomatic within the industry: There’s an acute reliance on traditional offline methods over training-centric online technologies. Of course, training businesses are moving to digital or automated technologies, however, 37% are still dependent on spreadsheets to manage their courses, resources and delegates.
The Benchmark Report also highlights the fact that many training companies have yet to fully embrace online course booking, despite an upswing in online purchasing in other industries. While 47% claim that around a quarter of all bookings are made over the internet, 32% admitted to not offering online course booking of any form.
Our Industry Today
Essentially, then, we face an industry in a complete state of flux, caught between the online and offline worlds. Professionals have told us that promoting and marketing courses is the biggest challenge they face in today’s increasingly competitive environment. And yet, digital marketing has, in the main, been shunned in favour of offline methods such as reputations and referrals. In fact, 73% claim these are the most effective marketing tools they have. As a training management software provider, we need to do more to raise awareness of the benefits technology can deliver to the industry.
In an industry concerned with development, the fear is that – whether it’s uncertainty surrounding Brexit or a technology deficit – too many training companies currently lack the support and preparation required to meet the challenges of 2017 and beyond.
Read the full accessplanit Training Industry Benchmark Report 2017 here.
About accessplanit
accessplanit are an innovative, award-winning software house who deliver training management software for training companies. Established in 2001, the company is built on the foundations of outstanding customer service, and strongly supports making life easier for training professionals managing their admin and growing their business. accessplanit is ISO 9001 and ISO 27001 certified.
