Training levels boosted by professional training management

Citation

(2010), "Training levels boosted by professional training management", Education + Training, Vol. 52 No. 4. https://doi.org/10.1108/et.2010.00452dab.003

Training levels boosted by professional training management

Article Type: Research news From: Education + Training, Volume 52, Issue 4

The systematic use of training management tools in enterprises helps identify training needs, boosts participation and improves training effectiveness.

The new EU 2020 strategy for sustainable growth and jobs aims at an inclusive high employment society where citizens can acquire the skills needed to move into new growth areas and where life-long learning is more accessible. Employer-provided continuing vocational training (CVT) is at the heart of this process.

Cedefop has carried out in-depth analysis of the third European Continuing Vocational Training Survey (CVTS) which has just been published and the most relevant source on employer-provided CVT can be accessed here www.cedefop.europa.eu/EN/publications/15390.aspx

Further information on participation in CVT courses can be accessed here: www.cedefop.europa.eu/EN/Images-ContentManagement/statistics-2010-03.png

In addition to the volume and cost of training, it provides policy-relevant data about employers’ training policies and the use of management tools to implement training. Tools range from demand analysis and professional training provision to assessing training results.

Cluster analysis results distinguish four groups of enterprises with different levels of using training management tools. The first two groups make intensive use of such tools, distinguished only by the use of a training centre. A third group is more selective with focus on training evaluation whereas the fourth group makes little use of such tools.

The indicator in the graph shows the share of employees participating in CVT courses (participation rates) for these four different groups of enterprises.

Key points include:

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  Training participation rates are higher in enterprises that make intensive use of training management tools; in all seven countries for which microdata are available.

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  In five countries, participation rates are highest in those enterprises that are intensive users of training management tools and do not have an own training centre (“intensive user/no training centre”); rates range from 51 per cent in Italy to 79 per cent in the Czech Republic. France and especially Romania have the highest training participation rates when enterprises also have their own training centre (“intensive user/own training centre”); rates are 49 per cent and 48 per cent respectively.

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  Participation rates in enterprises that make more selective use of training management tools are lower. Other results reveal that small enterprises are largely in this group. They have a high interest in training results and are characterised by a strong focus on evaluation.

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  Small enterprises are also predominantly in the group where only a minority of enterprises uses training management tools (“minimalists”). Results suggest that small enterprises require specific and adequate training management tools to foster CVT provision.