Pictured above: Ellen Morley, Principal of The Business Company

A recent report from the TUC which claimed some in-house apprentice training schemes offer as little as one hour off-the-job training a week has left a Shrewsbury corporate business consultant appalled.

Ellen Morley, Principal of The Business Company which has developed bespoke training programmes for companies of all sizes, with some leading to nationally recognised NVQ qualifications, said: "Employers need to understand that there is absolutely no point in offering training for the sake of it." 

"Training is a long term investment that requires commitment from them as well as from their employees and it is in their own interests to ensure it is planned and executed in such a way that it benefits both parties. By carrying out a proper skills audit and training analysis bosses can identify training needs which, if properly addressed, will improve the performance of the business and increase the capability of the people working in it." 

"Unfortunately there is a common fear among some employers that if they go to the expense of providing workers with training opportunities they will become over-ambitious and take their skills elsewhere, leaving the employer out of pocket. But in my experience this is nonsense and in fact my research has identified that approximately 65% of people leave jobs due to lack of personal development." 

"Employees who are given quality training opportunities feel valued and part of the team, keen to contribute ideas and to accept some responsibility for the success of the business. Also, it's worth pointing out that training does not have to cost the earth. We have even created a number of 'cascade' training programmes whereby we have trained the managers, developed their coaching skills and then overseen them pass on the right skills to their staff."

For more information about The Business Company, please visit their website here: www.thebusinesscompany.biz