Posted: 09/06/2026
Summer can be the perfect time for businesses to focus on growth and development.
With skills shortages, rapidly evolving technology, and an increasing number of young people not in education, employment, or training (NEETs), investing in workforce development has never been more important, with 54% of organisations saying they are struggling to find the skills they need.
As part of our Summer of Skills campaign, DN Colleges Group is helping employers make this summer count by supporting staff development through apprenticeships, free online courses, and flexible workforce training solutions.
Whether you’re looking to upskill your existing workforce, improve staff retention, or strengthen your business for the future, now is the time to invest in skills.
What is Upskilling?
Upskilling is the process of teaching employees new skills or enhancing existing ones. This could involve technical training, digital skills, leadership development, or industry-specific qualifications.
It’s about preparing your workforce not just for today, but for the future.
Why Upskilling Matters More Than Ever
- Keep Your Business Competitive
Companies that invest in their workforce are better positioned to stay ahead in an increasingly competitive market. By developing skills internally, businesses can adapt more quickly to industry changes, embrace new technologies, and respond effectively to evolving customer and market demands.
- Address Skills Gaps
Many sectors are already facing significant skills shortages, and 32% of organisations expect these shortages to worsen over the next five years.
Summer is the ideal opportunity to identify gaps in your workforce and invest in training before demand increases. Upskilling your current employees can help maintain productivity while preparing your business for long-term success.
- Improve Staff Retention
Employees are more likely to stay with organisations that invest in their development.
Research from The Open University found that while some employers worry staff may leave after training, 69% of Gen Z employees say they are more likely to remain with an employer that offers learning and career development opportunities.
Providing training opportunities shows employees they are valued and supported in their long-term career progression.
- Boost Confidence and Motivation
When employees feel valued and supported in their development, they become more motivated and productive. Upskilling helps create a positive workplace culture where employees feel encouraged to grow and succeed.
- Reduce Recruitment Costs
Hiring and replacing employees can be expensive. A study by Culture Amp estimates that the estimated cost is around 30% of a person’s annual salary in recruitment fees to find a replacement.
In some cases, such as high performers and important roles, this could be close to 200%. This means that while the average full-time salary is £37,400 in 2024, it would cost the employer between £11,200 and £74,900 to replace a peer employee.
In contrast, employers typically spend between £1,500 and £2,000 on training annually, proving it to be a far more cost-effective solution.
Why Summer is the Perfect Time to Upskill
For many businesses, summer can provide a valuable opportunity to focus on training and development.
Whether you’re preparing for future growth, adapting to industry changes, or looking to strengthen your workforce ahead of busier periods, investing in skills over the summer can deliver long-term benefits for both employers and employees.
It’s also a great time for employees to explore flexible learning opportunities, including online courses that can fit around work commitments.
How DN Colleges Group Can Help This Summer
Through our Summer of Skills campaign, DN Colleges Group is supporting businesses and individuals with flexible training opportunities designed to help people grow.
Our offer includes:
- Apprenticeships for new and existing staff
- Free online Level 2 courses
- Bespoke employer training solutions
- Flexible part-time and online learning
We work closely with employers to identify workforce skills gaps and create tailored training solutions that align with business goals.
The result is a personalised approach that helps businesses develop confident, capable teams ready for the future.
Make This Summer Count
With skills shortages, changing technologies, and evolving workplaces continuing to impact industries across the UK, now is the time to invest in your people.
Whether you want to upskill your current workforce, recruit apprentices, explore free training opportunities, or get a tailored training solution, DN Colleges Group can help.
Get in touch with our team today to learn more about our Summer of Skills opportunities and discover how we can help.