Training Key to Staff Retention
A Watson Wyatt survey of 8,500 European employees reveals that 52% would quit without adequate training and development. Career development and learning opportunities rank as top retention factors, with UK staff showing particularly high departure intentions at 40%.
Chief Executive of Union Academy Named
Liz Smith, the TUC’s head of learning services, has been appointed chief executive of the Union Academy. Smith brings decades of experience in education and trade unions, including leading the creation of union learning representatives in 1998.
Staff Most in Need Miss Out on Training
A TUC report warns that workers most needing training—those in semi-skilled and manual jobs—are least likely to receive it. While 60% of employers offer training to professional staff, only 45% do so for manual workers, despite acknowledging these roles have the greatest skills gaps.
Ufi Doing a “Good Job” But Could Still do Better
A National Audit Office report praises Ufi’s learndirect as an innovative success but identifies areas for improvement. The audit recommends streamlining administrative costs, which currently consume 29% of the learndirect budget, and increasing marketing efforts to small and medium-sized businesses.
Trainer’s Tip: Assertiveness Role Play
Learn an effective assertiveness role-play exercise from trainer Mike Kean. This three-step technique helps you communicate difficult issues by stating facts, expressing feelings, and collaboratively seeking solutions with a partner playing the other party involved.
LSDA Looks at Barriers to Learning
An LSDA report reveals that employees with poor basic skills face multiple barriers to workplace learning, including employer focus on production over training, negative attitudes toward education, and lack of progression prospects. Solutions include flexible programs, learning champions, and financial incentives to increase participation among disadvantaged workers.
USA Leads Way for Strategic Learning
The US leads the UK significantly in strategic workforce development, with approximately 50% of American listed companies employing a Chief Learning Officer compared to just one FTSE 100 company. This gap reflects how UK businesses lag in aligning staff training with strategic business objectives.
Trainer’s Tip: The Induction ‘Funnel’
Learn how to structure an effective induction program using the “funnel” method, which gradually moves from company-wide orientation to role-specific training. This framework uses daily tick sheets and mentor guidance to ensure new employees are competent and confident in their positions.
Green Light for First Skills Academies
Four UK industries—manufacturing, construction, food and drink, and financial services—have been approved to establish the first National Skills Academies. These employer-led academies aim to train tens of thousands annually, addressing significant skills shortages and creating jobs across the sectors. Opening in September 2006, they will receive up to £40 million in government and industry investment.
Feature: Language Skills – Ignore Them at Your Peril
UK businesses are losing export sales due to weak language skills, with 77% of exporters reporting lost revenue in recent years. E-learning offers a cost-effective solution to address this critical skills gap and improve international competitiveness.
NHS Training Focus on Violence Against Staff
The NHS has launched a new training programme to help staff in mental health and learning disability services recognise, de-escalate and manage violent incidents. The scheme aims to reduce the 43,301 physical assaults recorded against NHS staff in these settings in 2004/05, with plans to train 750,000 frontline staff in conflict resolution.
£3m Boost to Union Learning Fund
The Learning and Skills Council awarded £3 million through the Union Learning Fund, enabling around 70,000 more people to access workplace training this year. The funding will expand Union Learning Representatives—trusted colleagues who identify training needs and help staff access appropriate courses—from 12,000 to 16,000 nationally.
Training Gets Tills Ringing in Retail
Product knowledge and staff training directly impact retail sales. A survey found 85% of shoppers would switch stores if sales staff lack product expertise, while 67% have left without purchasing due to unhelpful service. Retailers investing in formal training programs see stronger bottom-line results.
Dramatic Take on Diversity Training at Co-op
The Co-operative Group is using drama-based training workshops and a commissioned film to combat workplace bullying and harassment across its 65,000 employees. The initiative, called Respect Works, aims to foster respect and consideration while strengthening teamwork and organizational commitment.
New Induction Standards for Care Sector
Skills for Care has launched new Common Induction Standards (CIS) for adult social care workers in England, designed to ensure high-quality care and prepare staff for NVQ registration. The 12-week induction period reflects updated NVQ requirements and the Care Council Code of Conduct, becoming the national minimum standard for new staff from September 30, 2006.
Training by Text Message
A sales training company now reinforces learning through text messages, sending two bite-sized tips weekly for three months after courses. This approach keeps training fresh in delegates’ minds and helps them apply lessons in their daily roles.
New Chartered Status for Health and Safety
IOSH introduces new Chartered Status for health and safety practitioners, requiring professional development and assessments to ensure practitioners maintain current skills and knowledge. This qualification aims to improve workplace safety and business decision-making across organizations.
Free Skills Check Up for Engineering Firms
SEMTA offers engineering firms with fewer than 250 employees a free skills assessment to identify workforce development needs and access training funding. The pilot program addresses industry research showing half the engineering workforce requires upskilling within five years.
Skills Wish of London Firms
Nearly half of London’s business owners cite skills shortages as their top priority, with 43% saying skilled worker recruitment is essential for the capital’s business growth. Leadership and management training through mentoring and one-to-one coaching are the preferred solutions, with SMEs eligible for up to £1,000 in subsidized training.
The Way I See It… Honing Telephone Skills
A 2005 TACK International survey reveals that 69% of buyers rate supplier salespeople’s telephone communication as fair to poor. Key strategies for improving phone skills include thorough preparation, building relationships with gatekeepers, active listening, and professional follow-up through email and voicemail.