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Training through a recession

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Calling all trainers, training managers, and institutes, TrainingZone.co.uk would like to compile a 'tip list' on how to support the training industry through the current economic crisis.

What do you think will be the best way to promote training through this tough time?

How has the downturn affected you so far? Have you experienced budget cuts? What challenges do you think the industry now faces?

All thoughts and comments most welcome so that we can offer all of our members some useful and sound advice from people who really know about training during a recession.
Rebecca Midgley

2 Responses

  1. Some thoughts
    Rebecca

    Recent (and not yet fully analysed) surveys suggest that training purchasers are more keen on specialism and expertise that price (this was a surpise to me). Also the training should show a good fit with the organisation (off the shelf is not quite so popular).

    For talking with others in the community; many freelance and independent provides are busier now than the have been for some time. Comment suggests that organisations are reducing the size of their internal training department and outsourcing to keep up with the training requirement.

    Of course the converse to this is that the population of the freelance market is going to increase, but not necessarily with trainers who know how to sustain themselves in the independent market (£300 per do isn’t going to work in the long run).

    Another weapon from the point of view of the independent is worth or value of the training. There have been numerous articles on determining what value a programme will add to an organisation. A trainer who can sell and then deliver these benefits stands a greater chance of surviving than those that do not or can’t.

    Apart from regulatory training which must be undertaken, perhaps a silver lining of this current economic climate is that “tick box” transactional training (for the sake of it) will be replaced by “considered” transformational training (because its worth it).

    Just some thoughts, I hope they help.

    Peter
    Chief Executive
    TrainerBase

  2. 5 Tips…
    Thankfully, I haven’t yet noticed the effects of the credit crunch, but you never know when it might hit! Here are some of my suggestions to keep training alive and kicking during difficult financial times…

    1. Adopt a flexible approach. Embrace methods such as distance learning, buddying, secondments, action-learning and coaching to meet clearly specified development needs.

    2. Go for ‘bite-sized’ learning events. Taking people out of the business for 2-3 hours is cost effective, and won’t disrupt the business (how many pointless meetings last this long?).

    3. Use internal trainers where possible. Get your hands on good quality training material and train your own staff to deliver basic training sessions.

    4. Keep it local. Use local trainers and run events where the delegates are based. Do we really need to be spending money on travel and 4 star hotels?

    5. Prioritise development needs. Use the pareto principle to identify the 20% of development that will bring about 80% of the results, and ask people to demonstrate how investment in their learning benefits the business.

    Just my musings…feel free to add. I’m sure that between us we can come up with 10 good ideas!