Is there a North-South training divide in the UK?

Citation

(2003), "Is there a North-South training divide in the UK?", Industrial and Commercial Training, Vol. 35 No. 3. https://doi.org/10.1108/ict.2003.03735cab.007

Is there a North-South training divide in the UK?

Is there a North-South training divide in the UK?

Despite recent high-profile accountancy scandals, London employers are the worst in the UK when it comes to supporting the training of their finance staff.

In a recent survey of UK-based accounting technicians, the Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) found only 62 per cent of those based in the capital received training support from their employer, falling well below the national average of 79 per cent. The highest-performing regions were Scotland and Northern Ireland, with 86 per cent and 89 per cent respectively.

Accounting technicians work in all levels of finance, from account clerks to financial controllers, in all industries and sectors, and organizations large and small. Of those who were encouraged to train and were supported by their employer, 86 per cent received some financial support (for example, payment of AAT subscription or college fees) and 75 per cent received time off – either day release or study leave. However, only 34 per cent received practical on-the-job help, although 22 per cent did receive some form of bonus or promotion upon successful completion.

Jeanette Purcell, AAT director of education and training, explained: "In the light of recent accountancy scandals, it is even more important to have a formal programme of finance training in place. Fraud prevention and ethics have to be part of training and development.

"However, support is vital. Research has shown that staff who are supported by their employer through their training are far more likely to succeed. This is beneficial on two counts. Your staff will feel valued in their work and training, while you can be confident in their professional skills".