Pertemps’ “turbo-charged” learning and development programme, which focused on further upskilling sales consultants, delivered a 677% return on investment in its first year, according to the company.

Carmen Watson, chair of Pertemps Network Group, said the statistic demonstrated the value of investing in talent, and warned that those who don’t will struggle to find and retain the right people.

Watson was speaking at a Skills Share event organised by City & Guilds and attended by HRH The Princess Royal.

Andy Long, people development director at Pertemps, said: “We took a hard look at our learning programmes on the back of Covid and have, effectively, turbo-charged our development plans to help people upskill and be the best they can be.

“The return on investment from our first cohort was phenomenal and the programme has been rolled out across the business. It is helping us attract and retain the right people at a time when the marketplace is difficult.”

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People development director Andy Long receives Pertemps Network Group’s Princess Royal Training Award from HRH The Princess Royal ©Pertemps Networking Group