Although the economy has shown signs of life in the past few quarters, businesses across the country and the globe are still cautious when it comes to spending on training. In difficult economic times, training and education budgets are usually the first to get the axe, but the question of whether that is a financially prudent move is starting to get more attention. The most obvious reason to invest in employee training is that it will improve overall performance and productivity. With training, a workforce will become more efficient, effective, and informed. This always positively affects a company’s bottom line. However, training also has the potential to help companies retain talent and boost workforce morale. Employees want to feel valued by the company they work for, and one of the best ways to show employees their value is to invest in them. Not only will these employees become better at their jobs, but they will feel more loyal and will be less likely to leave. Through training, employees see clearly defined paths for growth within a company and are more likely to remain on board and engaged in the long term.