Your workers expect you’ll spend more on training, resources and hiring this year. Are they going to be disappointed?
Working Canadians are more optimistic than they were this time last year about employers' investments in the workplace, according to a recent BMO Bank of Montreal survey.
One of the highest expectations centered on training and development programs, with 42% of the workforce expecting more programs to be offered by their employer this year — up 24% from last year.
Additionally, 38% believe their employers will hire more in 2013 — up 21% from 2012. This increased optimism can also be seen with the 45% that expect their employer to make investments in new equipment and technology — up 25% from last year.
"Canadian companies are making strategic investments to upgrade technology and processes, open up new markets, and invest in people," said Steve Murphy, senior vice-president of BMO commercial banking. "Businesses are looking to become as productive as possible, and that may mean taking advantage of historically low interest rates to finance their growth plans and upgrade their talent pool."
Regionally, Albertans are the most likely to say their employer will hire more people in the coming year (52%), invest in training (55%) and purchase new equipment (55%), according to the survey of 1,000 people.
