One of the greatest challenges companies will face in 2016 is the ever-expanding skills gap. Investing in employee development and training programs is the only way to keep the skills gap at bay. In the United Kingdom, training has always been viewed as important to the growth and resilience of the national workforce, and by extension, the country’s economy. Research shows that almost 90 percent of British companies provide some level of training for their employees—the highest level in Europe. However, looks can be deceiving. Although these companies provide training, spending on these programs over the past few years has taken a nosedive. A recent study found that in the United Kingdom, spending on training courses for employees is one of the lowest in the European Union. Countries such as Belgium, France, and the Netherlands lead the pack, while the United Kingdom ranks 22nd. In fact, only five countries invest less money in training than the United Kingdom. Experts worry that this flagging commitment to training will jeopardize the United Kingdom's economic stability and the power of its workforce.