Our 2024 research reveals that eight in ten HR decision-makers acknowledge a shift and growing demand in their employees' workplace training and development expectations. This demand is not a passing trend but a new workforce view, reshaping how people consider their career progression and growth within organisations.

Our survey of 1,000 UK employees supports this finding, with nearly three-quarters (73%) reporting that the opportunity for professional development is crucial in their decision to stay with their employer. This view is particularly strong among younger employees, with 90% of those aged 18-34 emphasising its importance, followed by 75% of those aged 35-54 and 54% of those over 55. In response to these growing expectations, 62% of organisations will increase their training budgets in 2024. This is a significant leap from the findings of our 2023 research, where 48% of HR leaders contemplated budget cuts. This upward trend in workplace training investment is particularly notable in larger organisations (over 1,000 employees), where 72% are likely to increase training expenditure, compared to 56% of smaller firms (250 to 999 employees).

This shift signals a growing recognition of the strategic importance of investing in employee development, not only as a tool for individual growth but also to enhance organisational competence and competitive edge.