Just one in three get chance to train at work

09 November 2017

The TUC poll, of more than 3,000 working adults, shows the problem is worst in the service sector, where just one in four get training opportunities.

Findings from the poll also showed that:

  • Bosses’ failure to invest is holding productivity down

  • One in four say there is no training at their workplace apart from inductions

  • Two in five say managers don’t consult about changes at work

 

The TUC says employers not helping their workers get new skills is a key factor behind Britain’s productivity crisis. EU employers spend double the amount UK employers do on improving workforce skills and typically have much higher productivity levels. And the OECD warned last month that Britain’s poor skills record was holding down productivity.

The poll also reveals that many workers feel they are not listened to at work:

  • Two in five (41%) say big changes at their workplaces are driven through without consultation

  • A fifth (21%) say staff suggestions are ignored by management

  • One in five (22%) say management is doing nothing to reduce stress in their workplace

Staff feeling they don’t have a voice at work is also a big problem, according to the TUC. Britain currently ranks 26th (second-last) among EU countries for workers’ participation in companies. Low employee engagement is estimated to cost the economy billions every year in lower productivity.

The full press release is available on the TUC’s website.