Canadian Employers Increase Learning Investment, Engagement

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Despite tightened budgets, Canadian employers are spending more on employees to build organizational performance and leadership.

by Bravetta Hassell

December 15, 2015

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A new report from the Conference Board of Canada reveals learning and development is seeing a boost among Canadian employers.

According to the latest Learning and Development Outlook, despite reductions to L&D budgets at many organizations, employers during 2014-2015 spent an average of $800 per employee on staff training, up from an average $688 in 2010. The amount of time employees are spending on learning is also increasing. In comparison with 2010 when employees spent 25 hours on learning, employees now average more than 30 hours.

Further, the survey shows a shrinking gap between what Canadian employers and U.S. employers spend on learning and development. Organizational L&D spending at Canadian organizations is outpacing the U.S., where employer spending on learning and development has remained relatively unchanged since 2012-2013.

Of the total 152 Canadian organizations that participated in the survey, roughly 50 percent of respondents rated learning as a top organizational priority. The forecast also shows a trend that will likely continue around employee-initiated learning. Survey data shows the growing popularity of informal learning among Canadian organizations, due in part to employees seeking out their own learning opportunities more than they had in previous years.

Bravetta Hassell

Bravetta Hassell is a Chief Learning Officer associate editor.

To comment, email:  editor@chieflearningofficer.com.