A new study by Virtual College by Netex reveals a stark management training gap in the UK, with 73% of managers reporting little to no training. The survey, conducted among over 500 workers across various sectors, highlights deficiencies in people management skills and confidence, raising concerns about workplace leadership.
Approximately 3.5 million people work as managers in the UK, according to government data. But the research shows that over half (51%) of managers described their training as merely “top-level”, lacking depth. This gap has significant implications, with 42% of workers stating they would prefer to abandon management duties if they could maintain their salary.
Generational and gender disparities in management confidence
Younger workers, particularly Gen Z (aged 18–24), are the least confident in people management, with only 30% feeling assured in these skills compared to 56% of 55–64-year-olds and 60% of those aged 65 and older. Despite this, 35% of Gen Z workers are keen to retain management responsibilities, while 50% of millennials prefer to avoid them entirely. Gender disparities also persist, with women making up only 33% of managers, according to Gov.UK. Men report higher confidence in managing people (51%) compared to women (42%), and 41% of men prefer management roles compared to 36% of women.
Industries lagging in management training
The study identifies specific sectors struggling with training provision. Over a quarter (26%) of workers in business, consulting, and management reported no training, followed by property and construction (25%) and media roles (20%). Notably, in marketing, none of the surveyed workers felt confident in people management, underscoring a critical skills gap in this field.
Jamie Ashforth, business and strategy director at Virtual College by Netex, said: “This research shows there is still a lot of work to be done to close the management training gap in the UK, with big disparities amongst the most common gender and age of managers. The fact that such a high percentage of workers who are managers would prefer not to have the responsibilities is also alarming, and indicates there is a high number of people in managerial positions who may not be suited to them in the UK. However, management is absolutely not for everyone. It’s important that anyone who is working towards a managerial position is given the correct leadership and management training and also feels confident in their role. That said, people can have incredibly successful careers without ever being a manager, with plenty of career progression opportunities.”
Strategies to bridge the training gap
To address these challenges, Ashforth shared practical tips for aspiring managers:
- Master core management skills. Strong managers need to provide clear direction, constructive feedback, and facilitate productive discussions, skills that should be central to any training programme.
- Understand your team’s challenges. Effective managers empathise with their team’s pressures, informed by industry trends and external factors, often gained through experience within the team.
- Develop self-awareness. Recognising personal strengths and weaknesses, and managing emotions under pressure, builds confidence and team trust.
- Build a support network. Connecting with peers and mentors provides essential guidance, even for senior leaders, fostering long-term confidence.
The findings underscore the need for enhanced training to equip UK managers with essential skills. With many workers reluctant to take on management roles and significant gaps in training, organisations must prioritise comprehensive leadership development to support effective workplace management.