Barriers to learning

Training and skills are vital to small businesses and the wider Scottish economy and a key driver of productivity. A competent workforce, with the skills required to undertake their job functions, is essential to allow small businesses to compete in the global marketplace. Training is the obvious response to skills shortages and gaps, but for many small businesses there are deep seated barriers to formal training. Small employers are often reluctant to get involved in staff training due to:

• lack of funding to to undertake training
• costs of training
• course fees but also travel and accommodation. Associated with this is a lack of funding to undertake training.
• loss of staff time and the time cost in releasing employees for training - businesses cannot easily afford to have workers taking time out from their job
• lack of infrastructure or staff to introduce and manage training plans
• timing and location of training could incur further financial costs in travel/accommodation for staff involved
• concerns about losing training staff to other employers
• lack of motivation among staff

learndirect scotland for business seeks to help small to medium enterprises (SMEs) to overcome these barriers, by offering a range of free services that can make it easier for companies to embrace training.