More than 80 per cent of IT companies claim to have seen satisfactory return on investment (ROI) for IT training, with half planning to increase their training spend over the next year.

The results come from a study of 200 managers and directors of technology sector companies conducted by IT recruiter Reed Technology Group.

The survey also found that one in three respondents was channelling training funds into business courses for IT staff as the need for more rounded, business-focused technology people becomes apparent.

Reed Technology Group director Richard Herring told vnunet.com: "What's really interesting is that such a large proportion got a satisfactory ROI on training. In the past there's been some reticence to say that training makes a difference and works.

"2002 was a low-point in terms of investment in training, and training is all too easy to cut back, but I'm very encouraged by these results."

Forty-five per cent of the survey's respondents also said that they had implemented some form of e-learning solution within their company.