The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation in partnership with SHRM (Society for Human Resource Management), have compiled new research from a survey exploring the current workplace landscape and examine the challenges that hinder innovation in training and employee development.
Notably, the survey highlights that despite economic uncertainty, employers have an appetite for further talent investment and employer collaborations. The survey centered on four types of training: skill-based training, paid work-based training, tuition assistance, and financial wellness and security benefits.
“Even in a time of significant economic and labor market volatility, employers have maintained their investment in and commitment to their workers—with many eager to increase it,” said Jason A. Tyszko, vice president of the U.S. Chamber Foundation’s Center for Education and Workforce.
Key takeaways from the research include:
• Most employers will either maintain or increase investment in skills training and talent development. Twenty percent of employers plan to increase their investment in skill-based training in 2021, reflecting a growing awareness of the advantages gained by cross-training, upskilling, and reskilling.
• Most employers are open to innovation across all types of training investment, but obstacles prevent action. Employers noted the major barriers to innovation are money and staff time, while others need guidance on what works best. Forty percent of employers indicate a lack of time and budget prevents them from adopting innovative changes to their skill-based training offerings.
• Many employers see government playing some role in providing financing assistance for talent investment. Eighty percent of employers say government grants, loans, or tax incentives would encourage them to further invest or innovate in their skill-based training and development.
• Employers also see the need for public-private leadership in in this space. Seventy-two percent of HR professionals say both the public and private sectors have a role to play in facilitating employer collaboration in areas such as skill-based training and development, paid work-based learning (e.g., internships, apprenticeships), and talent recruitment.
“The workplace has undergone tremendous change this year, and now more than ever, employers are recognizing how critical it is to ensure their workforce feels valued and empowered,” said SHRM chief knowledge officer Alex Alonso, Ph.D., SHRM-SCP. “SHRM and the Chamber Foundation’s research underscores that while progress has been made, there is still a need for continued investment in talent, innovation, and public-private partnerships. Enterprises can’t do this alone—collaboration between HR and business leaders will be essential in the days and months ahead.”
SHRM, the Society for Human Resource Management, creates better workplaces where employers and employees thrive together. As the voice of all things work, workers and the workplace, SHRM is the foremost expert, convener and thought leader on issues impacting today’s evolving workplaces.
With 300,000+ HR and business executive members in 165 countries, SHRM impacts the lives of more than 115 million workers and families globally.
To learn more about the Chamber Foundation’s Center for Education and Workforce initiatives, visit uschamberfoundation.org/center-education-and-workforce. To learn more about SHRM, visit shrm.org.
