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An analysis of the impact of the 2008–9 recession on the provision of training in the UK

Author

Listed:
  • Alan Felstead

    (Cardiff University, UK)

  • Francis Green

    (Institute of Education, University of London, UK)

  • Nick Jewson

    (Cardiff University, UK)

Abstract

This article examines the impact of the 2008–9 recession on training activity in the UK. In international terms, the UK is assumed to have a deregulated training market which is sensitive to changing economic conditions. However, national datasets and qualitative interviews suggest that, despite the severity of the recession, employers cut training expenditures by a small amount and the impact on training participation rates was minimal. Contrary to the starting assumption of a deregulated training market, the article shows that employers in the UK do not have a completely free hand and that a combination of market intervention and business requirements obliged most of them to sustain training despite the recession. These constraints included: compliance with legal requirements, meeting operational needs and satisfying customer demands. However, the recession prompted many employers to find ways of maintaining training coverage to meet these obligations, or as several respondents put it, ‘train smarter’.

Suggested Citation

  • Alan Felstead & Francis Green & Nick Jewson, 2012. "An analysis of the impact of the 2008–9 recession on the provision of training in the UK," Work, Employment & Society, British Sociological Association, vol. 26(6), pages 968-986, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:woemps:v:26:y:2012:i:6:p:968-986
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Fotios V. Mitsakis, 2014. "The Impact of Economic Crisis in Greece: Key Facts and an Overview of the Banking Sector," Business and Economic Research, Macrothink Institute, vol. 4(1), pages 248-265, June.
    2. Dietz Daniel & Zwick Thomas, 2020. "Training in the Great Recession – Evidence from an Individual Perspective," Journal of Economics and Statistics (Jahrbuecher fuer Nationaloekonomie und Statistik), De Gruyter, vol. 240(4), pages 493-523, August.
    3. James Brooks & Irena Grugulis & Hugh Cook, 2020. "Rethinking Situated Learning: Participation and Communities of Practice in the UK Fire and Rescue Service," Work, Employment & Society, British Sociological Association, vol. 34(6), pages 1045-1061, December.
    4. Geoff Mason, 2014. "Skills and training for a more innovation-intensive economy," National Institute of Economic and Social Research (NIESR) Discussion Papers 431, National Institute of Economic and Social Research.
    5. Danilovich, Hanna & Croucher, Richard, 2015. "Investment in personnel and FDI in Belarusian companies," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 24(6), pages 966-971.
    6. Pedrini, Giulio & Cappiello, Giuseppe, 2022. "The impact of training on labour productivity in the European utilities sector: An empirical analysis," Utilities Policy, Elsevier, vol. 74(C).
    7. Francis Green & Alan Felstead & Duncan Gallie & Hande Inanc & Nick Jewson, 2016. "The Declining Volume of Workers’ Training in Britain," British Journal of Industrial Relations, London School of Economics, vol. 54(2), pages 422-448, June.

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