Cutting the amount of money spent on IT training during the recession could see businesses left in a less competitive position than others once the recovery begins, one sector commentator has claimed.

Michael Dean, head of marketing at the National Computing Centre, said: "IT offers organisations of all sizes the opportunity to reduce costs and improve performance."

He added that once the recession showed signs of ending, firms that had taken the decision to make cost cuts within the IT department, including those used for training, may themselves having to catch up to their competitors.

Indeed, Ardent Solutions recently reported that in order for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to gain competitive status within their industry, investment in IT must continue as well as effective management being in place.

However, 23 per cent of SMEs admitted that limitations on IT budgets run the risk of having a negative impact on the business through loss of competitive advantage.

Related News:

• e-Learning and in-house training on the increase – a new survey finds
• Hospitality businesses to ‘cut training spend’
• Remaining an employer of choice despite redundancies
• Abolish default retirement age, says EHRC
• Maxxim Consulting highlights five challenges for HR directors in 2010
• Employers receive £2500 to take on apprentices
• How to recruit during recession
• CIPD: Coaching costs on the up despite the economic downturn
• Graduate recruitment may be a long-term investment
• Talent retention ’should focus on career progression’