It's Budget week again, and everyone is having their say about what should be in it. To have your say, vote in our poll or post your comments below.
As we reported in November, the pre-Budget statement declared that improved access to work-based training was needed, and since then reports have suggested that pilot schemes will be launched in this Budget, aimed at people with few skills, who will be offered up to 100% of training costs, and may gain a statutory right to time off for training. Employers will also be compensated.
The CIPD is urging the Chancellor to introduce a training tax credit with a focus on less skilled employees and smaller organisations, but is playing down the need for rights to time-off for training. Arguing for greater suppport for workplace learning, Diane Sinclair, Lead Adviser at the CIPD, said "Workplace learning takes into account both the needs of the employee and employer and avoids the potential problems of arranging cover. The Government should set up an advice centre to provide more guidance. We know that workers and employers are not sufficiently informed about the most effective training methods and particularly how to ensure that training translates into better individual and organisational performance. Training does not work as a stand-alone activity, it must integrate with culture and working practices."
We are always being told that the UK needs to improve its productivity by training the workforce better. But how can this be promoted? What would you like to see in this week's Budget to help training? Post your comments below.
