Importance of Training Employees During Rcession

A good athlete keeps on training even when it’s raining...

Nobody needs reminding about how tough the times are at the moment in the business world in general. But life goes on and there is still progress to be made and business to be won. There are promotions to be had and career paths to be followed.

Even before the global economic crisis, the world was changing and the common theme is qualifications. For employers that means making sure their company remains competitive through the constantly updated skills and competence of the staff.

For employees, the days when people found themselves in elevated positions with no letters after their name are over. CPD is not so much a desirable and sensible thing as a sine qua non – if you don’t have the relevant pieces of paper, you’re not going anywhere.

At one time, once A levels and university degrees were under your belt, that was pretty much it – but not anymore.

Just as an athlete needs to be fit at all times, not just train before a race, we all need to make sure we have the skills and qualifications we need throughout our career. Luck is the point at which opportunity meets preparation.

One crucial piece of business advice that successful companies have heeded this time around and in previous recessions: keep the business developing - and that means continuing with your training programme. Not only will that stand you in good stead during the economic downturn, but it will ensure that when you come out the other end of this dark period, your business will be in better condition than those of your rivals who let things slide. Therefore you will be well placed to forge ahead during the good times.

Three more things to consider:

1. Everything becomes dated. Just as a computer starts to become slow and incompatible after even a few years, because the world has moved on around it, the same applies to our skills. The need to acquire new ones and update our knowledge grows ever more acute.
   
2. Clients are more knowledgeable and demanding. In the current situation, no one is taking anything for granted. Everyone is looking at their suppliers and seeing if their service is up to scratch. Pricing is obviously key, but quality is important too, and if the staff are clearly behind the times, clients will look for an alternative.
   
3. Companies are concerned about insurance. Increasingly stringent insurance standards and rising premiums draw attention to staff competence - or the lack of it. The public expects to be in good hands, advised and serviced by people who have thoroughly up-to-date knowledge and training. During tough times a ’blame culture’ emerges.