Chief Learning Officer Magazine's A Look Ahead: The Training Industry in 2008 identifies the top training activities with the most impact in 2008 in its annual business intelligence column. Here they are:

1. Competencies
2. Leadership Training
3. Instructor-led Training
4. Measurement
5. Compliance Training

Competencies and Leadership Training have risen to the top in the last few years due to the talent crunch and pending wave of boomer retirements. The other major finding was the increased support by upper management of training initiatives. Susan Lee noted,"More companies realize that training can create higher performance and can be an enabler of corporate strategy and transformation." The report gave an optimistic outlook for training in 2008 citing the need for "employee development" and "train to retain" as major drivers of training. The newest member of the top 5 is compliance training. Another area we see Corporations and CPA firms investing in. The proliferation of changes in rules, regulations, and accounting standards combined with the increasing regulatory scrutiny make this a priority.

By the way, competencies and leadership training are key retention tools for the new generation...

Do you agree with these? Are you working with Competencies yet?