Employers’ perspectives on training: Three industries

This study explores employers’ perspectives on workforce training from 10 firms in three industries located in urban and regional areas of five states on Australia’s eastern seaboard.The analysis draws on data collected at interviews with senior managers and internal and external trainers in these firms.The study shows that, while training practices vary across industries, and sometimes across firms in the same industry, there are many similarities. All firms believe that ongoing training of the workforce is critical for the survival of the firm. Many factors determine how employers make decisions on what training to provide, which employees to support and howto deliver the training.Employer-supported education and training accounts for the largest share of adult education and training in all Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries. The benefits flow to individuals, firms and society.