The UK’s trainers are using new technologies such as the Internet and intranets in ever increasing numbers according to the Institute of Personnel and Development’s second annual training survey. The survey launched today at HRD 2000, shows that use of CD Roms has grown by 12% points in a year, the Internet by 13% points and intranets by 17% points.

Mike Cannell, the IPD’s Adviser, Training and Development comments, “These findings suggest that new technology is playing an ever more important role in delivering training in many UK firms and organisations. At these rates of growth it will not be that long before such technologies are almost as important as traditional techniques such as face-to-face training and on-the-job training.”

The survey also offers encouragement to the Chancellor and others who want to see more investment by organisations in their human capital. Some 89% of those surveyed had training budgets (one indicator of an establishment’s commitment to training), a figure 12.5% points up on last year’s result. In addition over half said that they expected to see an increase in their organisations’ expenditure on training spend over the course of the year. Mike Cannell comments, “It would seem that trainers are optimistic about prospects for economic growth and that organisations are realising that with a tightening labour market the training and development of staff is key to ensuring high recruitment and retention rates.”

The Training Survey also reveals an increased awareness among trainers of the need to be aware of business objectives and to integrate training into the overall business strategy. When asked to rank the skills required by training managers the top two were cited as ‘knowledge of people management’ and ‘knowledge of business objectives’. Seventy eight per cent of respondents also said that linking training to performance is very important.

“These results show major changes in the development of the training profession during the course of last year. In particular it is worth noting how training managers increasingly see their roles as strategic and needing to fit within overall business strategies. This requires a thorough knowledge of both people management practices and business objectives. As a group they are reporting high levels of job satisfaction, aware that their skills are increasingly in demand. This is good for them, for organisations and for the economy.”