More than 50% of workers want more training, research reveals

Australian businesses are risking losing valuable staff, as more than half feel they’re not receiving enough additional training and skill development.

The latest Kelly Global Workforce Index released today reveals more than half of Australian employees (56%) believe they are not receiving enough training from their current employer to gain the skills necessary to progress in their careers.

The international survey of 122,000 people, including 5500 Australians, also indicated 47% of respondents believed additional training or skills development could give them the opportunity for advancement in another company.

Member of Kelly Services executive leadership team, Wendy Hewson, told SmartCompany providing staff with additional training could help businesses retain their best employees.

“At the moment there is strong competition for good people in the workforce. Employers must be cognisant of what employees are looking for and what will make employees stay,” she says

“If less than half of employees are getting what they need from their current workplaces, they will leave. Training people are looking for is in areas like innovation, leadership, bilingual skills and mobile technology,” she says

The study also found 78% of Australians preferred to develop their skills through practical experience at work and 56% said education was the best way to improve their skills, followed by professional certification and structured mentoring.

Kelly Services managing director of Australia and New Zealand Karen Colfer said in a statement the survey emphasises the importance of investing in training.

“The latest KGWI survey highlights that training and professional development is not only essential to building workplace productivity, they also play an important role in the retention of employees.

“Almost two-thirds of Australians are focusing on workplace training as a means of advancing in their careers with their existing employer,” she says.

Hewson says methods such as a mentoring program are cost-effective ways of providing training.

For success in the workplace, the research indicates Australian employees ranked cooperation and team work as the most important skill. This was followed by active listening and organisation and attention to detail.