American Society of Training and Development Releases 2011 Workplace Learning Survey

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The American Society for Training & Development (ASTD) is the world’s largest and premier association dedicated to workplace learning and performance development. ASTD links learning and performance to individual and organizational results. Annually, it releases a report on the state of adult workplace training; it is an excellent benchmark for NRMCA members.

The 2011 survey shows companies’ financial commitment to learning remains strong, as evidenced by increased direct expenditure per employee. The average direct expenditure per employee increased from $1,081 ($1,098 inflation adjusted) in 2009 to $1,228 in 2010. Overall, that represents nearly a 13 percent (11.8 percent inflation adjusted) increase in the amount spent per employee on learning and development. This year’s average expenditure represents the largest consolidated direct expenditure per employee since ASTD began collecting the data. Despite the fact that the direct expenditure per employee increased in 2010, learning hours used per employee remained stable at 32 hours of formal learning content delivered per employee — revealing that organizations paid more for each hour of learning content used per employee. The top quartile delivered 24 more hours than the mean and registered the highest average volume of learning hours — 56 hours per employee—since ASTD began collecting data for this group. The previous high average was 47 learning hours per employee per year in 2009.