Winging It – just 1 in 4 SME managers receive ongoing management training

A new survey of 200 SME owners, directors and managers has revealed concerns about the lack of adequate management training in UK businesses.

Almost 9 in 10 (88%) respondents believe that employers could do more to equip their staff with management training and skills.

The survey, conducted by Scottish software company MindGenius, found that an even higher number of respondents (91%) think that schools and universities should help students to prepare for leadership roles in their careers, whilst 83% want the UK Government to invest more in business management education.

Of the directors and managers who participated in the research, almost 3 in 4 were given immediate people management responsibilities when they started their current role, but less than 1 in 4 receive ongoing management training and support.  One third of respondents have received no training about how to manage budgets.

Responding to the survey, MindGenius CEO Ashley Marron expressed concern that “people who demonstrate a high level of technical proficiency are invariably placed in management roles for which they are ill-equipped,” with no support on how to “plan, make strategic decisions, manage people and balance budgets.”

Perhaps unsurprisingly, given their other responses, only 3% of respondents believe that UK SME management is “world-leading”.

MSB and Leadership

Our team of training consultants has extensive experience of providing innovative leadership development programmes to public and private sector organisations in the UK and internationally.  Through our unique partnership with the renowned Lancaster University Management School, MSB is able to offer accredited and certificated programmes which combine academic rigour with practical advice.