Training is key to success

UK companies are hitting the right note with their training policies, according to new research.

The survey "Who learns at work?" by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, found that almost four in five respondents thought their employer offered enough training opportunities.

More significantly, 94% of those who have undertaken training in the past 12 months believe the training they received has helped them do their job better.

However, the research also shows that those who already have an academic qualification, or have already received training, are most likely to get further training. The results suggest that the more learning an individual undergoes the more confident they are in requesting further opportunities.

Victoria Gill, CIPD learning training and development adviser, said: "Employers need to ensure training opportunities are available and encouraged among all levels of staff, not just those who already hold academic qualifications, or who have the confidence to request training. This may run the risk of creating a training gap amongst staff."

"Who learns at work?" was compiled after interviews with 750 people, currently in employment, who had undergone training in the previous 12 months. Other key figures from the survey show:

* Employees most likely to receive training are those in companies with 500+ employees, those working full-time and those with a degree.

* Being shown how to do things and then practising them was the preferred method of training (54%), the least appealing methods are reading books/ articles and watching videos.

* Those working in small businesses are less likely to receive training than those in larger organisations or in the public sector.