An argument for keeping IT training budgets intact

Every corporation wants an effective workforce, but few want to pay for the training that can give them one. Some executives seem to believe that their IT staff should be able to keep up with new ideas and technology on their own time, with minimal corporate financial support. Those organizations that do support training and education tend to do so only in good times, so those items are often among the first to be slashed when IT budgets get tight.

The argument against training frequently is that it is difficult to calculate a measurable return on the investment. And yet, who really believes that an IT staff that is given no training will be appropriately skilled to meet IT's needs? I think that defies common sense.

It's true that many of the benefits of training can't be measured, but the sheer number of intangible benefits that are derived from attending conferences, training events and other educational programs argues against cutting training budgets. Most people who are sent to a professional-development program return with:

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