Top 17 Staff Training Skills Organisations Are Teaching Their Staff

Staff training skills are no longer a “nice to have” for HR teams, L&D managers, Compliance leads, and business owners — they are a business necessity. Skill gaps directly affect productivity, compliance, staff retention, and audit readiness. When teams lack the right capabilities, organisations face higher risk, inefficiency, and missed growth opportunities.

That’s why organisations across the UK are investing heavily in structured staff training. By equipping your workforce with the right skills — from cyber security awareness to leadership and mental health — you reduce risk, improve performance and build a more resilient organisation.

Training Express has helped over 3 million learners build essential workplace skills and stay compliant, supporting organisations of all sizes with accredited, scalable training solutions.

In this guide, we explore the top 17 skills organisations are teaching their staff right now and how they support compliance, performance and long-term business growth.

Top 17 Skills Organisations Are Teaching

Organisations today know that employee performance and business growth depend on developing the right skills. From digital literacy and cyber security awareness to leadership, communication, and teamwork, these competencies are essential for building a confident, adaptable, and high-performing workforce. Many businesses are now investing in structured staff training skills programmes to ensure staff acquire these skills consistently and efficiently. Platforms like Training Express allow organisations to upskill entire teams with accredited courses, track progress, and strengthen capabilities across departments. In the following sections, we take a closer look at the 17 skills shaping modern workplaces.

Get Started The Team Training Now

1. Office Administration and Organisation Skills

Strong administration and organisation skills help your team manage workloads efficiently, reduce errors and keep operations running smoothly. Well-trained staff can prioritise tasks, maintain accurate records and support compliance through better documentation and reporting — all essential for audit readiness and operational efficiency. Courses like Office Administration and Organisation Skills provide structured learning to develop these competencies, offering practical tools and techniques for managing daily office operations. By honing these skills, employees can contribute to a well-organised, high-performing team.

2. Cyber Security Awareness

Cyber security training reduces organisational risk by ensuring your workforce understands how to identify threats, protect sensitive data and follow secure practices. This training is critical for compliance, data protection and safeguarding your organisation against costly breaches.. Staff can enhance their understanding by enrolling in a Cyber Security Awareness course, which provides practical techniques and real-world scenarios to strengthen security habits and ensure compliance with industry standards.

3. Communication Skills

Effective communication improves collaboration, leadership and client interactions. For organisations, this means fewer misunderstandings, stronger teams and better customer outcomes — all of which directly impact performance and retention. Organisations often integrate communication training into staff development programmes, and employees can take a Communication Skills course to enhance their ability to express ideas persuasively, negotiate effectively, and engage confidently in both written and verbal interactions.

4. Time Management

Time management training helps your staff work more efficiently, meet deadlines and reduce stress. Organisations benefit from higher productivity, better resource allocation and improved delivery across teams. Organisations benefit from more productive teams, smoother workflows, and higher quality outcomes. Staff can strengthen their time management abilities by completing a Time Management in The Workplace Course, which provides techniques for planning schedules, avoiding distractions, and optimising daily productivity while maintaining a healthy work-life balance.

5. Leadership Skills

Leadership development prepares managers and supervisors to guide teams effectively, manage performance and support organisational objectives. Strong leadership training improves engagement, accountability and succession planning. Organisations invest in leadership development to prepare managers, improve employee engagement, and achieve strategic goals. Staff can enhance their capabilities by enrolling in a Leadership Skills Course, which teaches practical strategies for managing people, resolving conflicts, and inspiring teams to achieve high performance.

6. Mental Health Awareness

Mental health awareness training helps organisations meet duty-of-care responsibilities while reducing absenteeism and burnout. A workforce trained to recognise and respond to wellbeing concerns creates a safer, more supportive working environment. Training helps staff respond empathetically and maintain positive workplace relationships. Employees can strengthen their understanding through a Mental Health Awareness course, which provides guidance on recognising signs of distress, promoting wellbeing initiatives, and creating a culture that values psychological safety.

7. Customer Service Skills

Customer service training ensures your team handles enquiries professionally and consistently, improving satisfaction, retention and brand reputation — particularly important in customer-facing roles. Organisations benefit from higher retention, positive reviews, and improved revenue. Staff can enhance their capabilities by taking a Customer Service Skills course, which teaches active listening, empathy, problem-solving, and communication techniques that ensure every client interaction is handled with confidence and professionalism.

8. Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI)

EDI training supports compliance with UK equality legislation while fostering inclusive workplace cultures. Organisations benefit from improved engagement, reduced complaints and stronger team collaboration. Organisations prioritise this skill to improve collaboration, boost engagement, and meet legal obligations. Employees can strengthen their understanding through an Equality, Diversity & Inclusion course, which provides strategies for promoting inclusivity, addressing discrimination, and building a workplace culture where everyone feels supported, valued, and empowered to succeed.

9. Health & Safety Awareness

Health & safety training is essential for legal compliance and risk reduction. Properly trained staff can identify hazards, follow procedures and respond appropriately to incidents, helping organisations avoid accidents and enforcement action. Organisations benefit from reduced accidents, compliance with regulations, and improved employee confidence. Staff trained in health and safety can act proactively to prevent risks and respond appropriately during emergencies. Employees can expand their knowledge by completing a Health & Safety course, which covers essential practices, regulatory requirements, and practical strategies for maintaining a secure and efficient workplace.

10. First Aid Awareness

First aid training ensures your workforce can respond confidently in emergencies, supporting workplace safety obligations and reducing risk to staff and visitors. Organisations prioritise this skill to ensure workplace safety and compliance with health standards. Employees can develop these critical abilities by enrolling in a First Aid course, which provides hands-on training and guidance on handling real-life incidents effectively, giving staff the confidence to act responsibly in urgent situations.

11. GDPR & Data Protection

GDPR training protects organisations from data breaches, fines and reputational damage. Staff learn how to handle personal data responsibly and comply with data protection regulations. Organisations that prioritise data protection safeguard customer trust and maintain compliance with regulations. Staff can improve their knowledge through a GDPR & Data Protection course, which covers best practices, legal obligations, and practical strategies for handling data securely and ethically.

12. Project Management

Project management skills help teams deliver work on time and within budget. For organisations, this improves efficiency, accountability and cross-department collaboration. Organisations benefit from higher efficiency, better collaboration, and successful outcomes. Employees can enhance their capabilities by completing a Project Management course, which provides practical tools, techniques, and frameworks to manage projects confidently from initiation to completion, ensuring teams deliver results on time and within budget.

13. Conflict Resolution

Conflict resolution training equips staff and managers to handle disputes professionally, maintaining morale and productivity while reducing formal grievances. Organisations prioritise this skill to reduce tension, preserve morale, and maintain productivity. Employees can build their conflict management abilities by enrolling in a Conflict Resolution course, which provides strategies to address challenges calmly, foster collaboration, and create a positive, respectful workplace culture.

14. Safeguarding Awareness

Safeguarding training is essential in education, healthcare and care settings. It ensures staff understand reporting procedures, legal responsibilities and how to protect vulnerable individuals. Organisations prioritise this skill to maintain safety, comply with regulations, and uphold ethical standards. Staff can strengthen their knowledge by taking a Safeguarding course, which teaches practical measures for preventing harm, promoting safety, and ensuring a secure environment for all stakeholders.

15. Food Hygiene & Safety

Food hygiene training supports compliance with food safety regulations and protects public health. It is critical for organisations in catering, hospitality and healthcare environments. Employees can enhance their understanding through a Food Hygiene & Safety course, which provides practical guidance and best practices to maintain cleanliness, ensure safety, and deliver high-quality food services consistently.

16. Critical Thinking & Problem-Solving

Critical thinking skills help your team make better decisions, solve problems efficiently and adapt to change — supporting innovation and operational improvement. Organisations benefit from better decision-making, innovation, and reduced errors. Employees can develop these skills by enrolling in a Critical Thinking & Problem-Solving course, which offers practical strategies to enhance analytical thinking, decision-making, and problem-solving capabilities in real-world workplace scenarios.

17. Teamwork & Collaboration

Teamwork training strengthens communication, accountability and shared responsibility across teams, improving overall performance and morale. Organisations prioritise collaboration to improve productivity, creativity, and morale. Staff can strengthen these skills by taking an Effective Teamwork course, which teaches techniques for building cohesion, sharing knowledge, resolving conflicts, and ensuring teams work harmoniously toward shared objectives.

Training Express Team Training gives your whole workforce access to our flagship CPD-accredited courses from as little as £2.33 per user/month. You get a business dashboard to assign courses, track completion, download reports for audits, and issue certificates — all in one place.

Trusted by organisations including the NHS, Marks & Spencer and many UK SMEs, Training Express offers 3,000+ accredited online courses across compliance, health & safety, food hygiene, mental health, and more.

How to Develop Key Workplace Skills

Developing skills across teams requires a structured, consistent approach. Organisations that invest in accredited training see better engagement, clearer reporting and stronger compliance outcomes. Platforms like Training Express make it easier to provide consistent learning opportunities across your entire team, ensuring everyone gains practical, accredited knowledge

1. Choose the Right Skills to Focus On

Start by identifying which skills will have the most impact on your career or your team’s performance. Look at roles that are in high demand, projects that need improvement, and areas where employees face challenges. Prioritising the right skills ensures time and effort are invested wisely. For organisations, focusing on team-wide training in key areas like leadership, communication, or digital literacy can produce measurable results, helping staff grow while driving business success.

2. Learn from Structured Courses

Many organisations now offer structured courses to help employees develop specific skills. These courses provide guided learning, practical exercises, and measurable outcomes to ensure employees gain real-world competence. Using accredited platforms like Training Express allows businesses to train whole teams efficiently, giving employees the knowledge they need to excel in areas such as leadership, teamwork, and compliance.

Get Started The Team Training Now

3. Practice Skills Daily

Knowledge alone isn’t enough—skills must be actively practised. Employees should set small, achievable goals to reinforce what they’ve learned, whether it’s delivering a presentation, coding, or handling customer queries. Organisations can encourage practice by creating team challenges, simulations, or collaborative projects. When employees apply skills regularly, they become second nature, boosting confidence and performance across the team.

4. Apply Skills in Real-Life Scenarios

Practical experience is key to mastery. Encourage employees to take on projects, volunteer, or contribute to cross-functional initiatives where they can apply new skills. Real-world practice builds portfolios, enhances problem-solving abilities, and demonstrates competence. Companies can facilitate this by assigning tasks aligned with employee development goals, ensuring learning translates directly into workplace impact.

5. Learn from Mentors and Experts

Mentorship accelerates skill development by providing guidance from experienced professionals. Employees can gain insights, avoid common mistakes, and learn strategies that work in real situations. For teams, pairing staff with mentors or participating in expert-led sessions ensures knowledge is shared effectively and consistently across the organisation.

6. Join Learning Communities

Being part of learning communities keeps employees motivated and connected. Internal or external professional groups allow individuals to exchange tips, ask questions, and gain feedback. Organisations can foster these communities to create an environment where continuous improvement is encouraged and supported.

Watch this short video to discover why employers prioritise these essential workplace skills and how they impact team performance and business growth

7. Build a Portfolio and Track Progress

Documenting skills and achievements helps employees see tangible progress. A portfolio can include project examples, certifications, and performance metrics. Tracking development ensures progress is measurable, provides accountability, and highlights areas for further improvement.

8. Stay Consistent and Patient

Skill development takes time and persistence. Employees may face challenges or slow progress, but consistent effort leads to mastery. Organisations can support this by recognising milestones, providing regular feedback, and keeping learning programmes flexible yet structured, ensuring long-term growth and sustainable team improvement.

9. Turn Skills Into Impact

The ultimate goal of developing workplace skills is to apply them to produce meaningful results. Employees who can leverage their abilities effectively contribute to productivity, innovation, and client satisfaction. Organisations that provide structured team training, such as through Training Express, help staff translate learning into real-world impact, benefiting both individual careers and overall business success.

Conclusion

For HR and business leaders, developing workplace skills is about more than learning — it’s about reducing risk, meeting compliance requirements and building a capable, future-ready workforce. By investing in structured team training, organisations can ensure their staff have the skills needed to perform confidently today and adapt to tomorrow’s challenges. By investing in structured, team-focused learning platforms like Training Express, businesses can ensure consistent skill development across departments, creating a workforce that is capable, confident, and ready for the challenges of today and tomorrow.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What skills are most important for employees in 2026?

The most sought-after skills include digital literacy, leadership, communication, teamwork, problem-solving, emotional intelligence, and project management. These skills help employees adapt to rapid technological changes and perform effectively in modern workplaces.

How can my team develop these skills efficiently?

Structured, accredited training is key. Platforms like Training Express provide flexible online courses, allowing employees to learn at their own pace while managers can track progress and ensure consistent skill development.

Can Training Express accommodate teams of any size?

Yes. Whether you have a small team of 5 or a large workforce of 250+, Training Express offers tailored packages, allowing you to assign courses, monitor completion, and generate reports with ease.

Are the courses accredited?

Absolutely. All Training Express courses are CPD and Quality Licence Scheme accredited, ensuring your employees gain certifications that boost credibility and career prospects.

How do certificates help employees and organisations?

Certificates validate skills, allowing employees to demonstrate competence on CVs, LinkedIn profiles, or within the company. For organisations, certificates provide a clear record of completed training, helping to meet compliance and performance objectives.