The Guardian has published a summary of a recent debate. learndirect held the debate in partnership with the newspaper to discuss if new technology can help train your workforce.
This debate was stimulated when we started to think about what learndirect could do to help you and your business through this difficult economic climate.
"We believe this recession is very different to previous ones the country has experienced," says Sarah Jones, chief executive of learndirect. "Not least because this is the first recession where the web has been widely available.
"Our belief is we can learn lessons from popular websites like Facebook and YouTube and how people are using them, to radically alter the way we deliver training - making it more flexible, responsive and consistent."
Hosted by Polly Toynbee, a Guardian journalist, the debate was attended by some of the leading thinkers representing business and skills including David Frost – British Chambers of Commerce, Helen Harries-Rees, Senior Director of Training and Development - DHL Express, and David Willetts MP.
At the event the participants agreed technology could be used more effectively to enable businesses to find out more about training and to upskill their staff.
You can see the results of the debate on the Guardian website.
Polly Toynbee
Journalist
David Frost
Director General
David Willetts MP
Shadow Minister for Universities and Skills
What are your views?
We'd like to continue the conversation about using technology to up-skill your workforce. Let us know what you think about these questions in the form below:
- How can the web really help businesses in a time of recession?
- How useful is it for businesses to be able to communicate with each other using the web?
- What can the public sector learn from the private sector in delivering services online?
- Would you think about using the internet to deliver training in your business?
- How can learning from other people and other businesses help you through and out of the recession?
- What information would you like to see available online to help you make an informed decision about buying training?
- Where do you go to find out about training and the funding available to help you train your staff?