There's little doubt that this is a tough time for business, but just how tough is it for L&D? Despite
predictions of widespread budget cuts survey after survey seems to suggest that things aren't so bad. A soon-to-be released survey of 900 L&D managers by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, for example, found that 32% faced budget cuts, similarly a poll of 496 training managers by Wyboston Lakes found that only 27% reported a decrease, while a poll at the end of 2008 found that just 17% of L&D professionals expected their budgets to decrease in '09. Yet, anecdotally, I hear L&D managers talk of holding back on courses or making redundancies, while freelancers face tougher competition for contracts.
Whether you are a training manager, trainer or freelancer, I'd love to hear your views, anonymously if you prefer. Post a comment below or drop me a line at [email protected]
Claire Savage
Editor, news
2 Responses
What’s The Story With Budgets?
Hi Claire,
I have a large database of freelance trainers and I recently asked them this same question. The results were really a mixed bag, some people said things had really dropped off dramatically for th first time in years, others said they had not really noticed any change and others said they were actually doing quite well, particularly those who are working in the public sector. I’d be really interested in the results of your survey too.
I have posted your request as a news item on my Linked In group – Trainer Talk – so hopefully you will get some responses from there.
Sharon Gaskin
http://www.thetrainerstrainingcompany.co.uk
Another Budget Survey
The Masie Center in the USA has just released the results of its own survey.
http://www.masie.com/barometer
Personally, although 77% of those responding were US-based, the results to their first question reflect better what I’ve been hearing on the streets, rather than the more optimistic surveys cited.
Tim