The economic roller coaster ride continues, but training appears to be on an upswing: Total 2011 U.S. training expenditures—including payroll and spending on external products and services—jumped 13 percent to $59.7 billion, according to Trainingmagazine’s 2011 Training Industry Report.

Last month, I regretfully had to have a 70-foot-tall, stately maple tree removed from my front lawn. Unfortunately, it had fallen victim to a condition called girdling roots, in which the roots grew around the base of the trunk and choked off vital nutrients and water. A few weeks later, I noticed a hint of green peeking out from the mound of mulch. I cleared away the dirt and found a small sprout growing in the spot.

In a still-lagging economy, do people even think about career advancement? Absolutely. We asked 3,611 recent training participants how important career advancement is to them right now. Of our respondents, 27 percent said it was extremely important, and 34 percent said it was very important.

Productivity often is measured by output. What project did you finish? What product did you ship? At this time of the year, measure differently. Much of what you completed this year was dependent on the people in your (extended) networks.

Do you know an up-and-coming training leader age 40 or under? Someone who stands out from the crowd? Someone who is an outstanding training professional with excellent leadership qualities? Someone who deserves recognition for his or her outstanding efforts in the training industry?

Please nominate him or her for Training magazine’s 2012 TOP YOUNG TRAINER AWARDS. Nominations are due JANUARY 20, 2012.