'Little's Britain': Plus ça change
London (UK), November 2008 - (by Bob Little) While in Sestri Levante, Italy, a few weeks ago - for three conferences, including the AGM of the European Learning Industry Group (ELIG) - I was surprised to see, in an Italian newspaper, a review of Matt Lucas and David Walliams' television sketch show, 'Little Britain'. I had no idea that this show had an appeal outside the confines of 'Anglo Saxonism'. However, since it obviously does, it suggests an ideal title for these series of 'word sketches' which offer a similarly individual perspective on Britain - but, in this case, focusing on its elearning community.
Recently, I was chatting to someone who, after more than 25 years in the corporate learning industry, is about to retire. He observed that, despite everyone's best endeavours, corporate learning does not seem to have increased its 'board level' prestige in that time.
"Twenty years or so ago, I recall talking to a company that was about to spend several million pounds installing Windows-based computers throughout their organisation," he said. I asked what provision the company was making for training staff to use these machines and was told, 'We're waiting to see if there are any Government grants for training'.
"Only last week, I was talking to a UK-based company that wanted some health and safety training materials in Polish. I asked them why they didn't teach their staff English and then use industry-standard health and safety training materials. They replied that they were waiting to see if there were any Government grants for teaching their staff English. Until then, they would let them use Polish."
So nothing seems to have changed in at least a quarter of a century. UK employers appear willing to invest in anything except staff training. When it comes to that, they want someone else - either their staff or the Government - to pay for acquiring the skills their workers need.
For over 20 years, Bob Little has specialised in writing about, and commentating on, corporate learning - especially elearning - and technology-related subjects. His work has been published in the UK, Continental Europe, the USA and Australia. You can contact Bob.
