Low demand hits training courses

Tony O’Shea, the CIRIA’s membership director, said low demand had forced the industry research organisation to run fewer courses on “non-business-critical topics”. He added that he could not guarantee that courses advertised on the website would go ahead.

Although O’Shea would not comment on the number of programmes cancelled, Alex Woodcraft, who was training manager at the CIRIA until being laid off in March, said they had been reduced “from 12 to two”.

The development of new courses is also on hold. Woodcraft, who was responsible for this, built up an operation worth between £250,000 and £300,000. He said: “Last year we did really well, but in the past six months nearly nobody has come to an event. We ran a few at a loss.”

Other providers have also been affected. Lucy Pedlar runs the Green Register, which offers training and networking events for architects. She said her organisation, too, had been forced to cancel courses.

There has been a natural downturn in training, which is to be expected

Chris Broadbent, BRE

“People are pulling training budgets to save on resources. The numbers have tended to be smaller and we have had to cancel some events.”

She added: “They are missing opportunities to find quiet times to train people up.”

Chris Broadbent, director of training for BRE, oversees a wide variety of training programmes, but he said firms were cutting back on training budgets.

He said: “Most training in recent years has been for energy assessors. There has been a natural downturn, which is to be expected. But we are seeing people seeking to learn new skills to become more employable.”