Trying to prove the link between good learning and performance? We wrap up some key employee training statistics.
Employee training isn’t a ‘nice-to-have’, it’s a critical factor for long-term success.
Whether you’re building training to onboard new hires or upskill existing staff, effective training programmes can boost productivity, improve retention, and drive company growth.
But how do we know this for sure?
Well, the numbers speak for themselves.
Keep reading for key employee training statistics that highlight its impact, offer insights into what employees want and how you can benefit from prioritising learning and development.
The TLDR: The employee training statistics you need to know for 2025
When it comes to training your employees, the potential impact is huge.
If you’re looking for the TL;DR, then these stats are vital:
- Companies that offer comprehensive training programs have 218% higher income per employee than those without formalised training.
Source: ATD Research - 40% of employees who receive poor training leave their positions within the first year.
Source: Go2HR - 94% of employees said they would stay longer at a company if it invested in their learning and development.
Source: LinkedIn Workplace Learning Report - Training leads to a 37% increase in productivity in an organisation.
Source: IBM Training Study - 84% of employees in the best-performing organizations receive the training they need compared to 16% in the worst-performing organisations.
Source: Deloitte - Companies that invest in employee training can see a 24% higher profit margin than those who don’t.
Source: The American Society for Training and Development (ASTD) - Employees retain approximately 25% of the information after two weeks without follow-up training.
Source: Ebbinghaus’ Forgetting Curve - On average, companies spend $1,286 per employee annually on training.
Source: Training Magazine’s Industry Report - Digital learning takes 40-60% less time than traditional classroom training.
Source: Brandon Hall Group - Employees who have access to continuous learning are 47% more likely to be engaged at work.
Source: Gallup - Employees learn 70% of their skills on the job and just 10% through formal training
These statistics highlight the profound impact employee training can have on retention, productivity, and profitability, underscoring its importance for long-term business success.
Employee training statistics: specific to training effectiveness
Employee training is often seen as a necessary expense, but how effective is it really?
Effective employee training is a game-changer for both individuals and organisations.
It equips employees with the skills and knowledge they need to perform at their best, while boosting confidence and job satisfaction.
For businesses, it translates into higher productivity, improved innovation, and stronger employee retention.
Related: Best employee training software out there
All very good things.
So, when done right, training isn’t just a cost, it’s an investment in a smarter, more agile workforce that’s ready to tackle challenges and drive growth.
1. Companies with comprehensive training programmes have 218% higher income per employee
Source: ATD Research
Organisations that invest heavily in employee training see significant financial benefits.
Businesses with well-established training programmes experience 218% more income per employee compared to those without formal training, showing a strong link between training and profitability.
2. 40% of employees leave within the first year due to poor training
Source: Go2HR
A lack of proper training leads to high turnover.
Almost half of employees cite poor training as the reason for leaving their job within the first year, highlighting the need for effective onboarding and continuous development to improve retention.
3. 94% of employees would stay longer if companies invested in their development
Source: LinkedIn Workplace Learning Report
Employee development is a key factor in retention.
Nearly all employees reported they would stay with their company longer if they felt their employer was committed to supporting their personal and professional growth through learning opportunities.
4. Training increases productivity by 37%
Source: IBM Training Study
Effective training programmes lead to a significant boost in productivity.
IBM’s study found that organisations with comprehensive training experienced a 37% increase in productivity, proving that training helps employees work more efficiently.
5. 84% of employees in high-performing organisations receive the training they need
Source: Deloitte
Top-performing companies prioritise employee development.
The vast majority of employees in these organisations receive the training required for success, compared to just 16% in low-performing companies who feel adequately trained.
6. Training investment can lead to 24% higher profit margins
Source: ASTD
Investing in employee training not only improves skills, but also boosts profitability.
Companies that allocate resources to employee development see an average of 24% higher profit margins than those that don’t, demonstrating a clear return on investment.
7. Employees retain only 25% of information without follow-up training
Source: Corporate Training Services
Knowledge retention without reinforcement is low.
Ebbinghaus’ Forgetting Curve suggests that without follow-up training, employees only remember 25% of what they initially learnt after two weeks, emphasising the need for continuous learning.
8. Companies spend £1,000 annually per employee on training
Source: Training Magazine’s Industry Report
On average, businesses spend around £1,000 each year on training for every employee.
This investment reflects the importance of ongoing learning to ensure skill relevance and maintain productivity within the workforce.
9. Digital learning takes 40-60% less time than classroom training
Source: Brandon Hall Group
Digital training is highly efficient.
Employees can complete online courses much faster compared to traditional classroom settings, making it a more time-effective solution for companies looking to quickly upskill their workforce.
10. Continuous learning increases employee engagement by 47%
Source: Gallup
Engaged employees are key to a successful organisation.
Workers who have access to continuous learning and development opportunities are 47% more likely to be engaged at work, leading to higher job satisfaction and better performance.
What do employees want from their training?
Employees want training that supports their career growth, offering flexible, personalised, and hands-on learning experiences.
They prefer self-paced, on-demand options that fit into their busy schedules, along with practical, real-world applications of what they learn. Here are some other statistics that explain what your learners are looking for:
1. 94% of employees want to stay longer with companies that invest in their learning and development
Source: LinkedIn Workplace Learning Report
Employees highly value opportunities for growth.
Nearly all employees surveyed said they would stay with a company longer if it actively invested in their learning and development.
Related: Key employee retention statistics
This highlights that employees want training programmes that enhance both their skills and career prospects.
2. 74% of employees feel they aren’t achieving their full potential due to a lack of development opportunities
Source: Middlesex University for Work Based Learning
The majority of employees believe they are being held back because of inadequate training and development options.
This indicates that employees are seeking more comprehensive and continuous learning opportunities to maximise their professional potential.
3. 68% of employees prefer to learn at work
Source: LinkedIn Learning
Most employees prefer the convenience of learning in the workplace rather than outside of it.
They seek training that can be embedded into their regular work routines, making it easier to apply new skills directly to their job.
4. 58% of employees want to learn at their own pace
Source: LinkedIn Learning
A large proportion of employees prefer self-directed learning.
They want flexible, on-demand training that allows them to learn at their own pace, rather than being confined to structured classroom or scheduled learning sessions.
5. 87% of millennials prioritise development opportunities when choosing a job
Source: Gallup
Development is especially crucial for younger workers.
Related: How to link performance to learning
The majority of millennials, who make up a growing segment of the workforce, consider professional development a key factor in job selection, showing a strong preference for employers that offer robust training programmes.
6. 76% of employees want opportunities for career growth through training
Source: SHRM
Employees expect training to not just improve their current role but also to provide a clear pathway for career advancement.
They value training programmes that help them develop leadership skills or acquire competencies that will help them progress within the organisation.
7. 40% of employees want training tailored to their individual needs
Source: PwC’s Future of Work Report
Employees are looking for personalised training experiences that align with their specific roles, skill gaps, and career aspirations.
Customised learning ensures that training is more relevant, engaging, and effective for individual employees.
8. 49% of employees prefer short, bite-sized learning sessions
Source: LinkedIn Learning
Microlearning is becoming increasingly popular.
Employees prefer short, easily digestible training sessions that fit into their busy schedules, allowing them to absorb information quickly and efficiently.
9. 62% of employees want training to be more hands-on
Source: Harvard Business Publishing
Employees find practical, hands-on training methods more engaging and effective.
They prefer learning that involves real-world scenarios and problem-solving activities, as this helps them better understand and apply the skills they are learning.
10. 70% of employees feel they are more engaged with gamified learning
Source: TalentLMS
Gamification in training—using elements like leaderboards, badges, and challenges—has proven to increase engagement.
Related: The role of gamification in eLearning
Employees want more interactive and enjoyable training experiences that motivate them to actively participate and learn.
When are employees most engaged?
We’ve all been there.
Started the new year dedicated to a resolution that quickly falls off the wayside.
And the same is true in work.
We found that January saw the highest rates of LMS logins.
In fact, quarter 1 saw the highest period of logins.
The worst months? August and December.
We would assume that the reason why is likely due to holidays; summer and Christmas.
Related: Read the full State of Learning and Development report
Wrapping up
The statistics around employee training make one thing clear: investing in learning and development is not just beneficial for employees, but it’s essential for business success.
From boosting retention and productivity to driving employee engagement, effective training programs offer a significant return on investment.
Employees are eager for personalised, flexible, and hands-on learning experiences that not only enhance their current skills but also offer clear career growth opportunities.
For businesses looking to remain competitive and future-ready, prioritising employee development is a must.
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