The times are changing rapidly, and ATI is aware of that. As budgets get cut, and government shutdown uncertainty grows, we understand that public and private sectors are being forced to make tough decisions. Unfortunately, Technical Training is often one of the first things that get neglected. We don’t like that, but we understand it.
We’ve long advocated for the value of technical training, but this blog will not repeat all those benefits. Today, let’s talk about what to do if you understand the benefits of technical training, but are struggling to get management approval.
How do you sway your management when training is needed most?
During a government shutdown, two things often happen:
- Furloughs reduce in-house training capacity.
Many organizations rely on internal personnel to deliver or coordinate training. When employees are furloughed, the ability to conduct meaningful training in-house disappears. - Essential personnel face increased pressure—but greater need for training.
Those who are still on duty during a shutdown often face expanded responsibilities, but with the same amount of time to get everything done. Ironically, this is when technical training becomes even more critical to keep projects on track and to ensure that essential tasks are executed safely, and correctly.
Despite this need, many managers hesitate to approve training. They may say it’s too expensive, or that there is no money in the training budget, or they may say technical training is unnecessary and a waste of money. If you’ve encountered these objections, you’re not alone—and ATI is here to help.
How to Advocate for Your Training
If you believe technical training is essential but can’t get management buy-in, consider these steps:
- Share the evidence.
Forward one of our earlier blog posts to your manager. You can find one here. - Let ATI speak directly with your Training Manager.
Often, when Training Managers give us a chance to meet with them, they quickly realize how important and cost effective this training can be. Of note, although we will use this opportunity to explain why ATI provides the best value in technical training, if another provider fits your organization’s needs better, we’ll say so. This is all right, our main goal is to get YOU the technical training you need.
If you like this suggestion, please email me ( bob@aticourses.com ) and provide the contact information for your Training Manager. We will reach out to that person, and if you would prefer us not to share your name as our source just let us know. Either way, we will be happy to email you and let you know how it went.
It is our belief that in times of uncertainty, technical training isn’t a luxury, it’s a necessity. ATI is here to help, now and in the future.