The survey, which asked finance directors and managers about their attitudes on qualifications and skills, also found that 44% of respondents expect to use more in-house training in future and 31% expect to focus more on remote learning resources.
According to the findings, staff training is becoming more hi-tech, with 44% of employers looking for podcasts and vodcasts and 38% investigating live e-learning. However, at smaller companies, 38% of employers prefer the traditional face to face approach, compared to just one in 10 large employers. And decisions about staff training come down to more than the financial results, with 51% of employers saying the main benefit of investing in training is increased engagement and retention.
Jane Scott Paul, chief executive of AAT, said of the findings: “A lot has been made recently of businesses taking fewer risks, sitting on capital and refusing to invest profits. But this research paints a very different picture. Employers are clearly committed to improving staff qualifications and skills, but they’re not just treading water – instead they are looking for new ways to provide staff training.”
She continued: “Businesses have been much maligned recently for a perceived lack of investment in their staff. But employers are showing far greater commitment than they’re given credit for. They now need to get the message out there that they are supporting their staff and are committed to improving their skills and qualifications.”
The survey asked 105 finance directors and managers at organisations of all sizes across the UK. It was conducted between 26 September and 1 October this year.
