Employees believe they are receiving less training initiated by HR and more instigated by their line manager.

According to a series of surveys carried out by the CIPD, 21% of staff believe it is HR that organises training for them compared with 33% in 2005. Almost half (49%) have their training organised by their line manager compared with 45% three years ago.

The survey showed 79% believe they get enough training from their employer and 92% who have been trained believe it was successful.

Employees think they learn best by being shown how to do something rather than classroom or on-the-job training.

Nearly half of employees (46%) favoured being shown how to do something and then practising it as the best way to train, although employers mostly use classroom or on-the-job methods.

Martyn Sloman, CIPD adviser, said: "As trainers, we need to deal with the world as it is, not the world we would wish it to be. Trainers are not longer the sun around which learner planets revolve. Employees have a firm preference for more active learning opportunities. They certainly don't like solitary or unsupported learning."