Brit Training Budgets Battered

The overwhelming majority of 750 people in Great Britain’s learning industry (88 percent) say that training budgets remained under pressure in 2012; more than half of those surveyed also felt that the current economic downturn would last at least another two to three years, while 16 percent felt that times would remain tough for more than another three years.

Nick Jones, director at survey purveyor Blue Eskimo, says that this pessimistic outlook won’t be a surprise to anyone — but that people should balance this with the survey’s other findings. “Five years into one of the biggest economic declines in living memory, it’s little wonder that training budgets remain tight. Around 63 percent of people say that the current economic situation has made their roles harder. But there’s plenty of good news too.”

It seems the sector is still reasonably well paid. Around 42 percent of people secured a rise either in line with, or above, the rate of inflation — and around half of those surveyed earned between £26,000 and £45,000 per year. Although rates for contractors have eroded, the majority (more than 83 percent) still earn £500 per day or more.

“The overall picture revealed by the survey is of an industry that remains a steady performer, even when times are tough,” says Jones. “Budgets may be cut, but people are responding by working hard — and still enjoying what they do. More than 80 percent of people are working more hours than for which they are paid, but more than 65 percent are happy working in the learning industry.”

—Free survey download: www.blueeskimo.com/salary-survey

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