Company bosses have come under attack for not doing enough to motivate workers to increase their skills, risking problems for the UK economy.
According to research by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development company training budgets had not increased over the past year, with firms spending an annual average of £607 per worker.
Many senior staff displayed a lack of interest in improving the skills of their employees, which was a "barrier" to making improvements, the CIPD said.
A survey of more than 650 training managers showed that more than a third expected to need a higher level of skills from their staff in future years.
Jessica Jarvis, training adviser to the CIPD, said: "Skills shortages are already causing employers real difficulties, and yet they are still failing to face up to their future skills needs.
