The majority of business leaders of SMEs across the country are looking to brush up their skills in 2020, according to research from Hitachi Capital Business Finance.
The research found 69% were planning on attending courses next year.
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Leaders in the manufacturing (89%), legal (85%) and transport (73%) sectors were the most likely to want training.
Digital skills topped the list of development areas with 38% of business leaders with plans for training saying they wanted to improve their knowledge of software, the internet and social media.
51% of leaders in the retail sector said they were looking for the same skill enhancement as the other sectors, which shows an awareness of more shopping being done online.
With now a clearer view of Britain’s position economically and politically, 25% said they would like professional guidance on the likely impact of Brexit on their businesses.
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By GlobalDataThis was most felt by leaders in the agricultural (27%), real estate (24%), and hospitality (24%) sectors.
The proportion of business leaders under 35 with plans for training in the New Year increased to 88%.
After digital skills, 29% said they wanted training on how to make their businesses more environmentally friendly.
The same research found confidence within the small business community is increasing.
81% of SMEs had plans to invest in the New Year to grow their business with 36% expecting their business to grow in the next three months.
Gavin Wraith-Carter, managing director at Hitachi Capital Business Finance said: “Standing still in a business world as competitive as today for most leaders is simply not an option. Businesses will all have specific challenges to address as the market shifts and technology evolves. The best way of staying a step ahead of competitors is to invest in skills across the business.
“Set against a period of unprecedented Brexit uncertainty, the fact that four in five businesses are planning to put money in to grow their business in the New Year, is a further indication of their resilience and determination to succeed,” he added.
