More than half of employers in the hospitality sector are planning to reduce staff training costs during the downturn.

A total of 51 per cent of businesses are cutting training during the recession, but 25 per cent are planning to ramp up their spending, the State of the Nation report by People1st.com found.

According to the study, employers are looking afresh at training during the financial turmoil, with 37 per cent of businesses saying the recession will encourage them to seek support through Train to Gain or the apprenticeship programme.

“This will help upskill and professionalise the workforce as well as help support training budgets in this critical time,” the study claimed.

Meanwhile, 62 per cent of businesses that pay for external training say they will bring learning and development in house to cut costs.

Will Cookson, head of skills at Working Links, previously claimed one of the main advantages of training is that employers “get a higher calibre employee”.

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