A survey by Cegos Group, reported in this month's issue of e.learning age magazine, finds that companies in the UK are leading the way in Europe by providing training to some 61% of their staff. In France, Germany and Italy, less than half has any training.

Consider also that more companies in the UK are benefiting from technology-driven training programmes than their EC counterparts.

To quote the article: "While the UK is training more people, it is running shorter programmes and spending less on professional development than its European counterparts. Tight funding and the need to fit training in around day-to-day work are driving a trend towards shorter, bite-sized training programmes, with the rise in e-learning and blended learning playing a pivotal role in reducing costs."

Apparently the UK (and Spain) spend around 40% less than the average European budget, so that's a simple equation: use technology, spend less time and less money, but train more people. Just the message you need when you're heading into a recession.