A major survey of private sector companies in Europe has revealed that British managers are the most ambitious when it comes to training their workforce.

1. The Cegos Observatory’s Barometer
Training & development in Britain
2015

2. 2
About the Survey
Cegos - 2015 Training Survey
The Cegos Observatory conducted this study between April and May 2015, with
2,500 employees (who had all been involved in training courses) and 600 HRDs-
Training Managers (all working in private-sector companies with over 50
employees).
In each of the 5 countries, France, Germany, United Kingdom, Spain and Italy,
500 employees and 120 HRDs-Training Managers responded to the survey.

3. 3
British leading the way in training ambitions
A major survey of private sector companies in Europe has revealed that British
managers are the most ambitious when it comes to training their workforce.
The Cegos Group, a worldwide leader in training and development, has
published the results of its annual survey, called The Cegos Observatory’s
Barometer: Training and Development in Europe.
Around 600 Human Resources Directors (HRDs)/Training Managers and 2,500
employees were interviewed for the project, across France, Germany, Spain,
Italy and the UK. The overall findings of the survey reflected the fact that many
companies still do not rank training as a strategic priority – with the notable
exception of the UK.

4. 4
The report addresses the ‘British exception’ in its results, highlighting the
following key differences found in UK companies:
•British HRDs and Training Managers appear to be the most ambitious in terms
of training, they regard their training policy as a tool for meeting the company’s
challenges and objectives.
•57% of them consider that attracting and retaining talent is a "very high priority"
compared with 38% of French and German HRDs and Training Managers.
•Almost 50% regard supporting their employees' career project as a "very high
priority" compared with 28% for German HRDs and Training Managers.
•British employees are also the most satisfied with their companies training
policies: 84% of them consider that the policy implements all the requisite
resources to correctly identify the skills they need (compared with 73% on
average for employees in the other 5 countries, and 67% of Italian employees –
the lowest level noted).
•8 out of 10 British employees believe the policy effectively informs them about
the training courses they can participate in (compared with 6 out of 10 French
employees).

5. 5
Francis Marshall, Managing Director of Cegos (UK) Ltd,
says: “The Cegos Training and Development in Europe
survey is a major exploration of the training and development
landscape across Europe, and the UK results show some
very positive signs – clearly there is a significant difference in
approach in Britain.
“The British data demonstrates that when companies use training policies
effectively, integrating them into an active long-term strategy, it can directly
increase employee satisfaction and their involvement in the training. Effective,
high-quality training that truly engages staff is essential to the good health of
any organisation – and to the development and retention of talented and
committed employees.”

6. 6
09/25/15
Mathilde Bourdat, Cegos training expert, also explained that the British
employees are the only ones who prefer group training courses, and that British
employees adhere better to training priorities established by their managers –
something that is not always the case in other countries.

7. 7
Characteristics of the 2015 sample

8. 8
British HRDs and Training Managers are more
ambitious regarding training…
What are the training priorities in your company ?
Cegos - 2015 Training Survey
HRD
5 countries
Support the company’s
strategic plan
Adapt employees to the
requirements of their job
position
Attract and hold talented
employees
Support the employees’
professional project
Anticipate developments in
employment
Maintain employability,
especially for those in the
most vulnerable positions
(unskilled workers,
seniors…)
Very high priority
54%
43%
42%
38%
45%55%
42%62%
38%57%
28%47%
32%40%
25%45%
Highest value / Lowest value

9. 9
Consequently, British employees are more satisfied
with their companies' training policies
Do you think your company implements all the necessary means to:
Cegos - 2015 Training Survey
Employees
5 countries
68 %
65%
65%
63%
73%
69%
68%
68%
67%
Correctly identify the skills it
needs
Inform you very specifically
about the training programs
you can take
Enable your manager to
follow your training courses
and your achievements
Clearly define your needs
and allow you to express
what you hope to obtain from
training
Help you understand how
company jobs will develop
Yes, definitely Yes, more or less
84% 67%
Highest value / Lowest value
80% 63%
79% 59%
82% 60%
79%
61%76%

10. 10
Employees prefer individual training courses
...apart from the British
ALL
Cegos - 2015 Training Survey
EmployeesHRDS-TMs
Employees: To progress in your company, do you prefer…?
HRD: About employees’ training, what is the main focus in your company?
A group training course A personalised training course
62%
54%
57%
70%
62%
68%
57%
62%
63%
51%
60%
53%
Majority responses for each each population group

11. 11
Synthesis
The strategic integration of training policies is lacking
► Top priority: training administration.
► Assessing and measuring the return on investment of training is ranked as the lowest priority
► Still a lack of support for employees as regards their training
The British exception?
► British HRDs and Training Managers appear to be the most ambitious in terms of training.
► British employees are also the most satisfied with their companies training policies:
Training methods: the gradual decrease in face-to-face training continues
► The training methods implemented by companies are sometimes not in line with the employees expectations
► A very close link between satisfaction and the usefulness of the training: British employees are a good example of that.
► The HRDs and Training Managers in all five countries consider digital training solutions as a means to reduce training costs and to standardise content.
Cegos - 2015 Training Survey

12. To see the full report, please go to our website at;
http://www.cegos.co.uk/insights/training-and-development-in-europe-survey/