Most UK training courses now last less than a day as employers shift to online providers, raising concerns about 'tick-box' exercises harming productivity. The average employee received 5.7 days of training in 2024, down from 7.8 days in 2011, with spending per employee falling 29% in real terms since 2011, equating to £12bn less annually. In 2024, 88% of training was online, up from 67% in 2015, and 58% of courses lasted under a day—the highest proportion in the rich world.

Stephen Evans, CEO of the Learning and Work Institute, warned that shorter training undermines development as AI and net-zero skills grow in demand. Health and safety is the most common training type, followed by computing and customer handling. Nathan Pitman of i Hasco noted compliance pressures drive online uptake but acknowledged the risk of checkbox training, saying his firm is piloting AI tutors for personalised learning.

Sarah Pass of the CIPD stressed that effectiveness depends on meeting organisational and employee needs, not just delivery method or length, and cautioned that in-person training can also become superficial if poorly designed.