Financing training: issues and options

Appraises the scope for cost‐effective government intervention into the mobilization of resources for training, examining measures catalytic in nature as well as direct interventions. Asserts that economic recession and shrinking government revenues have led to a reconsideration of the role played by the state in training provision and to a growing acknowledgement and appreciation of the role of the private sector. Suggests that although the documentation is incomplete, the government is, and has always been, the junior partner. Discusses how training is financed by the private sector. Analyses situations where privately financed training provision may be sub‐optimal in scale and where there are grounds for government intervention. Addresses the issues of how best to provide financial incentives and mobilize the resources required for financial intervention.