During the past decade, companies have increased the amount they are spending on training at a steady rate. In 2009, organizations spent around $244 billion across the globe. In 2019, that figure grew to around $370 billion. However, this increase in investment hasn’t correlated to an increase in the efficacy of training programs. The sobering reality is that a significant amount of this money is wasted. How can employers ensure that they are investing training resources wisely? While every organization is different, there are universally applicable lessons that anyone, across any industry, should consider. First, ensure training is engaging by asking employees what skills they need to develop to do their jobs better. Most learning and development professionals feel technical skills should be a top priority; however, employee surveys tend to reveal workers are demanding soft skills training to make them better at their jobs. Additionally, it’s critical that employers do not forget the practical aspects of training. For a learning and development program to be successful, employees must apply the skills they’ve learned in training. After a training program has concluded, ensure there is ample opportunity for employees to practice their new skills in real-world environments, or else the training may go to waste.