Survey Shows Part Time Workers Missing Out on Training

Companies are not investing in training for part time and job share workers according to a new survey among HR and training managers on training trends and issues.

The survey which was carried out by one of the UK's top training companies - PTP Training & Marketing which has a Leicester Head Office reveals that this is the group least likely to receive in-house or external training and represents well under 10% of the total number of delegates selected for training.

The next most under-represented groups in the training stakes are the over 50s and manual staff accounting for just over 10% of those receiving training followed by admin staff accounting for up to 20% of recipients.

Interestingly while part time workers and admin staff - who are likely to be women - don't appear to have their fair share of training, women in full time, non admin jobs make up well over 50% of those on training programmes.

Despite a number of groups not receiving training the survey goes on to show that 57% of companies claim they provide training for nine out of ten staff and 37% say they have a higher training budget this year compared to last. Half the companies surveyed say they provide one to three days of training per average employee per year. Just under 30% offer between four and six days and over one in ten generously give more than 10 days training per year. However when asked if the training provision is adequate for improved performance in a company, 30% admit it isn't. Of those respondents all say they would like to see a minimum of four days training per average employee per year. 'Increased motivation' is cited by a third of the sample as the key benefit derived from training followed by 'improved confidence'. Interestingly only 2% used training as a carrot to retain staff.

Other key benefits mentioned cover 'improved skills' and 'positive impact on business'. The traditional Management, IT and Sales programmes are also seen as having the most benefit for both staff and business over programmes such as communications or presentation delivery.

Marc Holland, managing director of PTP Training and Marketing says he is concerned about the results and comments: "This report clearly shows that part time staff are undervalued and companies do not see training as an investment priority for this group. To not train a group of people on the basis that they work fewer hours is unfair and counterproductive. No matter how many hours an employee works their skills, motivation and productivity can all be enhanced through relevant training. If most companies in our survey agree staff should have at least 4-days training a year then a part-timer should receive at least a pro-rata investment. "

For more information on the training programmes available at more than 50 UK venues contact PTP on freephone 0800 975 6787 or visit the web site at www.ptp.co.uk.

28th June 2004