There does seem to be a common thread running through a lot of the posts regarding training. There are mostly written by techs in the first person. i.e. I went on this or that course, I couldn't do that course because it was cancelled and so on.
How many send their employees for training on a regular basis rather than attend themselves? Of those that do, do they calculate the payback time?
Once accomodation, course fees and travel expenses are paid, plus loss of revenue for absent employees, it is quite a finacial burden for the smaller business.