Two-thirds of employers agree that weaknesses in leadership and management skills are holding back UK companies.
But only one in four companies offer their employees training in these crucial skills, according to research by Cranfield School of Management and learndirect.
David Broadhead, of management development centre Partners in Management, based at the Media Centre in Huddersfield, said the findings came as no surprise.
Said Mr Broadhead: “According to the Office for National Statistics, nationally we are now 24% less productive than the average French or German employee and it’s maybe no slight coincidence that on average German companies spend nearly three times as much on management and leadership training as British companies do.
“As we now exit the global recession, it would be tragic if the economic advantages offered by low interest rates and falling wages were squandered by our management weaknesses, particularly in the areas of innovation and corporate entrepreneurship.”
Mr Broadhead urged business leaders in Kirklees to gain the edge over their national and global competition by taking advantage of up to �750 funding still available to support appropriate management development through the Kirklees Working Smarter initiative.
“There is a perception that management development is a costly and time consuming exercise,” he said “This isn’t true and our latest seven-day course starting in October has been designed to offer a highly effective way of developing the knowledge, skills and attitudes needed in the highly challenging and competitive 21st century economic environment.
“Local businesses could join this from �250 if funded too, so cost shouldn’t be an issue. It also offers optional routes through to nationally accredited qualifications as well via either the Chartered Institute of Management – for whom we are one of a select number of national centres piloting a new masters level diploma – or with the Institute of Learning and Management at Level 5, as we are proud to have just been approved as one of their centres.”
Cranfield said management training should be a mandatory element at NVQ level 3 and above – and that all new government ministers and their shadows receive management training, too.
