The IT skill with the highest demand for training is project management, according to a survey that found staff in 64 percent of businesses wanted to develop in the area.
This was followed by systems analysis and development, for which staff at 36 percent of businesses requested training.
In just over one third of companies, staff are asking for technical training, according to the survey of 225 IT professionals in large U.K. businesses, conducted by IT services firm Parity. Service management training was in demand at 21 percent of firms.
While seven in 10 firms expect to train staff in project management and four in 10 firms will teach service management, only two in 10 will teach programming, and fewer will teach architecture and security.
The greatest impediment to training is time, according to the survey. Over two thirds of businesses said people were too busy at work to find time to train. Some 39 percent said a lack of funding for training was also an issue.
Rick Firth, managing director at Parity Training, said: 'There is clearly demand among IT staff for learning and development in areas that are integral to the success of the business.'
'Perhaps employers need to take a stronger line and incorporate training into staff contracts and workloads,' he added.
Meanwhile, Oxford University has launched a website, which will provide comment and guidance on project management. The new site, called PM Perspectives, promises to give the advice and research that managers need to help prevent project failure.