Partner Article

Red tape training diverting employers real requirements

Small firms have embraced affordable training alternatives to ease staff development costs, research from the Forum for Private Business suggests.

48% of companies surveyed undertook supplier training, while 41% used public sector training provided by bodies such as colleges or local authorities.

Elsewhere, personal coaching and mentoring schemes were popular, as were online training services.

Costs were seen as the biggest barrier to providing employee training, however, 32% of respondents believe the overall training and skills environment has improved recently.

Phil Orford, the Forum’s chief executive, said: “For the sake of small businesses and the economy, it is important that small businesses are able to access the right training for their staff at the right price. Unfortunately, while there have been some improvements recently, this is often not the case at present

“But entrepreneurs are finding ways to provide the skills training their staff need that are more affordable than traditional routes such as expensive courses. This is particularly relevant given the training and guidance required in order to negotiate the minefield of red tape.”

Just over half of respondents felt their training focus was “not ideal”, citing time and costs as the main reasons.

The Forum argue that red tape training is hindering the coaching of skills in key areas, such as staff development.

Mr Orford added: “Employees are hired because their skills and experiences are essential in driving firms forward, and training is an important part of this process, but despite sourcing low-cost alternatives many business owners are being forced to spend valuable training time and money on ensuring they comply with regulations, or are simply not recruiting at all.

“We need government measures designed to free firms from unnecessary regulations to start working quickly – the situation does not appear to have improved for many small businesses and the prospects for economic growth are being threatened.”

Respondents were asked about their attitude towards Government training and skills policies. Nearly half welcomed the attention on apprenticeships, but over a third felt the funding was still too low.

Interesting 52% of the Forum members who answered said the responsibility to train individuals should not fall on the employer.

Mr Orford went on to say: Focusing on apprenticeships is welcome but there is still a long way to go to make the system more affordable and fit for purpose, including providing better workplace skills training in schools and colleges.

“This means fostering basic attributes such as literacy and numeracy, and a work-ready attitude, as well as the specific skills required by individual businesses.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Tom Keighley .