31/01/11….Extra training to support Oxfordshire business out of the downturn

AN Oxfordshire business training company says it?s more than doubling the size of its next open courses programme, to support local business as it emerges from the downturn.

The Learning Ladder has announced thirty one open training courses in its programme for the first half of 2011, compared with 15 in the series just completed. The programme focuses on four key areas for business: finance, sales & marketing, people, and operations. There are full details at: www.tlltraining.co.uk

MD Karyn Buck says: ?We?ve taken extensive soundings from our customers, both on the scale of the programme, and on what we?ve included. They?ve encouraged us to extend the range of courses and to make many more available. At a time when the Institute of Directors is saying that skills shortages are shackling firms, we want to offer businesses in Oxfordshire and neighbouring counties as wide a range of training opportunities as we can.?

In a recent skills survey, the Institute of Directors revealed that the growth of nearly 60 per cent of businesses is being held back by a lack of skills in the wider workforce and among existing employees. In particular it found that 47 per cent of directors surveyed said that some of their organisation?s employees lacked the skills needed to do their job to the required level. It also found that, during the recession, employers maintained a robust commitment to training, debunking the myth that the training budget is always first to be cut in a downturn.

All the courses will be run from training facilities at Hampden House on the Jennings-owned Monument Park at Chalgrove in Oxfordshire. The Learning Ladder is partnering with Jennings to run a FREE taster series of courses to introduce customers to the programme. This will include 90-minute workshops on social media, NLP and international trade.