TalkTraining is a new regular series of feature articles specially written by TrainingZONE staff and guest contributors each exploring a specific topic and offering a provocative mix of facts, analyis and informed opinion.

In this first TalkTraining paper, Tim Pickles, the Founder of TrainingZONE and a highly experienced consultant/trainer himself, captures the most significant trends affecting the UK training sector today and offers a commentary on the practical steps which trainers will need to make in their approach and their business if they are to survive and thrive in the years ahead. He argues that relying on previously tested content and delivery methods to an established client base will no longer guarantee trainers a profitable future. Amongst the developments he discusses are:

• Whether greater consolidation or collaboration will occur amongst the thousands of small training providers
  
• The reform of national training programmes
  
• How getting closer to clients will both strengthen the training proposal and jeopardise the stability of the business
  
• The switch in training role from content to process
  
• The constant need for strategic change services
  
• The growth of individualised learning programmes
  
• The adoption of new channels for training delivery including delivery-from-a-distance
  
• Demonstrating return-on-investment
  
• The importance of quality standards and accreditation.

This first issue of TalkTraining offers five pages of analysis and comment. The full paper costs £10 plus VAT and is available for immediate download from the TrainingZONE Library.

The author, Tim Pickles, will be available online to lead discussion and answer questions on any aspect of 'Trainers: adapting to survive in tomorrow's world' during a live online event scheduled for
Thursday 22 November at 10:00 GMT
in the Online Events Area.

Click here to download the complete TalkTraining article.