Train for success

A major skills survey of manufacturing companies published today has highlighted the link between the productivity and profitability of manufacturers who not only place a high priority on training but relate their training plan to their strategic business goals.

The survey published in a report Skills for Productivity: can the UK deliver? by EEF, the manufacturers’ organisation is the first of a two part analysis of current and future skills, education and training in UK manufacturing.

It shows widespread acceptance of the link between a more highly skilled workforce and improved performance, with two thirds of companies saying improving productivity was the main reason for increasing training. As a result, over the last year half the companies surveyed had improved their productivity suggesting the gap with their competitors may be closing.

The survey also showed that firms had increased their training spend over the previous twelve months and were planning to do so over the coming twelve months, despite their margins being under intense pressure. The survey showed that companies which place greater importance on business plan than available budget when planning training and target the right types of training across the whole business get more out of their training efforts.