24/01/2011 05:32 AM
Construction firms scaled back on training in job-specific tasks, such as the installation of security fencing, last year, new research shows.
A survey of over 1,500 construction companies by CITB-ConstructionSkills also shows that 18 per cent of firms plan to rein in training even further in 2011.
The report reveals that over a quarter (26 per cent) of UK construction businesses cut their training in 2010. Job-specific training, such as in the installation of security bollards, was hardest hit, with 16 per cent of employers cutting back.
Eight per cent of employers cut training in health and safety guidance and two per cent reined in management and supervisory training.
However, the report also discovered that employers still have a commitment to training, with 24 per cent of construction bosses saying that improving staff skills is more important than it ever has been given post-recession fragility.
Commenting on the report, Mark Farrar, CITB-ConstructionSkills' chief executive, said: "As a cost cutting measure in times of economic hardship, training budgets are sadly often the first to suffer.
"Although recognition of the importance of staff skills is high, the research shows that training levels could fall further still."
Talking to nebusiness.co.uk about the findings, Neil Allan, the managing director of Tyneside firm Ezee Scaffolding, said training is pivotal to a company's future.
"We invest in training quite heavily. I believe that investing in training your workforce will give you a return," he told the news provider.
A survey of over 1,500 construction companies by CITB-ConstructionSkills also shows that 18 per cent of firms plan to rein in training even further in 2011.
The report reveals that over a quarter (26 per cent) of UK construction businesses cut their training in 2010. Job-specific training, such as in the installation of security bollards, was hardest hit, with 16 per cent of employers cutting back.
Eight per cent of employers cut training in health and safety guidance and two per cent reined in management and supervisory training.
However, the report also discovered that employers still have a commitment to training, with 24 per cent of construction bosses saying that improving staff skills is more important than it ever has been given post-recession fragility.
Commenting on the report, Mark Farrar, CITB-ConstructionSkills' chief executive, said: "As a cost cutting measure in times of economic hardship, training budgets are sadly often the first to suffer.
"Although recognition of the importance of staff skills is high, the research shows that training levels could fall further still."
Talking to nebusiness.co.uk about the findings, Neil Allan, the managing director of Tyneside firm Ezee Scaffolding, said training is pivotal to a company's future.
"We invest in training quite heavily. I believe that investing in training your workforce will give you a return," he told the news provider.
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