TAFE NSW managing director Jon Black said there’s a growing need for Australian businesses to upskill their staff.

“Now more than ever, having the right skills within a business is critical to its survival,” he said.

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“While the need for transformation is recognised within Australian businesses, too few are offering staff strong training and development packages – under the belief it’s easier, cheaper and less time consuming to hire new recruits.”

Two thirds of businesses indicated holding onto their best staff members has become significantly harder, but the second most effective way to keep them is to provide in-house training.

Assistant Minister for Skills [responsible for TAFE] Adam Marshall said the opening of the TAFE Digital HQ in Armidale would allow more flexibility to employers.

“It means employers can offer training programs for their employees that suit business and personal needs,” he said.

“Employees can begin at any time and work at their own pace, this removes many of the traditional barriers to education working people experience.”

Time poor organisations leave training to managers without the expertise, and staff are left with a bad experience.

“TAFE Digital is leading the way in developing advanced digital content to support businesses to upskill their staff in areas from project management and IT to cyber-security,” Mr Marshall said.

Improving customer experience was found to be the top business priority, it was the category that businesses are least likely to invest in, being nominated by only 19 per cent of respondents as a focus area.

Mr Black said it’s up to businesses to identify the skills they need for the future, and provide on the job learning to staff.

“Organisations that invest in customised, specialist training for their staff will help to set themselves up for growth and success by developing an agile workforce of the future,” he said.