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Concerns over budget cuts

Over recent months our clients have been telling us that they are fed up with hearing about the impending ‘economic downturn’ but are still a little concerned that their budgets could get cut as a consequence. In response, we decided to do a bit of future-gazing and take the temperature of the learning and training industry.  The good news is that the experts are predicting a downturn beating future for the sector.
 
The CIPD’s annual Learning and Development survey report, published this month, indicates a positive outlook for the industry.  CIPD reports that 25% of businesses expected training budgets to increase in the future, with 51% expecting no change.  This suggests that the clever organisations will look inwards during the tough times and invest in their greatest asset – their people.
 
This is a phenomenon that we have witnessed at CragRats over the past twelve months.  There has been a steady increase in learning programmes across all industries, despite reports of job cuts and economic downturns. 

The trend for large culture change programmes continues with organisations choosing Integrated Learning as the best way of achieving culture change.  A great example of this comes from one of our customers, Nottingham City Homes. The ‘Let’s Make a Difference’ programme combined live events for leaders and front line staff, marketing, newsletters and intranet communications helped to embed the learning.

In terms of the issues facing our industries, customer experience remains at the top of the list when it comes to challenges for the year ahead.  In addition, health and safety, leadership and stress awareness all look likely to be the key issues our customers face in the next twelve months.

Ken Blanchard’s 2008 Corporate Issues survey (click here) revealed that the three most pressing challenges for businesses around the globe were: creating an engaged workforce, managing change and developing potential leaders.  The suggestion is that; through investment in ongoing, integrated learning programmes organisations can weather the storm of the unpredictable economic outlook.  Maybe the future’s not looking so bad after all.

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