Got Training Satisfaction? March 14, 2008 A Skillsoft survey finds that while more training can improve employee satisfaction, many companies still do not provide on-going education for their employees.
By Stacy Straczynski
A looming economic recession and continued corporate cutbacks in 2008 paint a bleak outlook for employee motivation these days. But there's a bright light for employers: Skillsoft's latest research reports that eight out of ten workers will have higher job satisfaction—meaning higher retention and less expenditure for you—if they receive more on-the-job training.
Nashua, NH-based SaaS provider SkillSoft released the results of its recent research, in which over 200 employees in various jobs and career-stages were interviewed to determine how companies typically train their employees over the course of their career. Among other noteworthy trends, the study found that approximately 80% of respondents would be "much more" or "somewhat more" satisfied in their current position if they could receive more on-the-job training.
"If you look at the trends in the marketplace, with the Baby Boomers retiring, the competition for talent is becoming much more fierce," says Julie Ogilvie, vice president of corporate marketing with Skillsoft. "Companies are asking 'What can I do to make my corporation a more attractive place to work?' We suggest training."
But there are still more companies that need to heed Ogilvie's suggestion. The survey found a gap between the employees' perceived value in training and how much continuing education is actually provided, with an average of 28% reporting that they do not receive any form of on-going training from their employer. Additionally, 38% of respondents in the sales and marketing fields report a lack of continuing training at their organization.
If training is seen as valuable by so many employees, why don’t more companies offer continued education?
"We see that large companies are much more likely to invest in training: When companies are smaller, they are less likely to invest," says Ogilvie "…I think it's a matter of economics. When [budgets] are cut, [employees] feel that training is the first to go."
"Companies view training as an option," she adds. "In this day and age, there are so many compliance issues and new technologies; training is not an option anymore."
For more information, or to read the entire report, please visit www.skillsoft.com.
Sales & Marketing Management Magazine
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