Myth: "My employer won't support my training".
Many potential learners say that they are hesitant about discussing training with their employer. However, with business success increasingly relying on staff with better skills, the need to invest in staff development is critical:
- Almost one in seven employers in England are experiencing skills gaps in their workforce.
- Skills gaps cost an estimated £165,000 annually for a typical 50-employee business.
Fact: More employers than ever before are training their staff.
Those already helping their employees to develop new skills are seeing the rewards:
- 76% of apprentice employers feel Apprenticeships lead to higher productivity
- 74% of employers taking up training under Train to Gain reported an improvement in the skills of their employees in their specific job role.
- In the first year of the Skills Pledge, two-thirds of employers have seen a positive impact on their businesses and 75% have changed their approach to training.
Myth: "I'm too busy. I don't have time to learn".
People may want to improve their skills but, with so many other things competing for their time, learning isn't top of their 'to do' list. However, finding time to learn is essential:
12.4% of adults of working age in England have no qualifications
By 2014, only 2.4% of jobs in England will be held by workers with no qualifications.
Fact: There are many ways to learn and train to fit into any lifestyle.
Learning can be flexible so people can find a course to meet their needs:
Courses can be delivered in the classroom, at work, on-line or at home through distance learning
Courses can be full-time, part-time or can be taken in units.
Over 90% of learners are satisfied with the quality of their training. By taking the time to improve their skills now, more people are discovering the benefits and realising that learning is time well spent.
