Frontline Workforce Survey Exposes Training Gaps and Employer Disconnect

A new article in Chain Store Age covers a survey by Schoox and Lighthouse Research & Advisory, which reveals a significant training gap among frontline workers. According to the report, only 24% of frontline employees are confident they have proper training, and 40% are unsure of their job expectations. The study of 737 businesses and 1,050 frontline workers across retail, restaurant, manufacturing, and hospitality sectors found that while 90% of employers prioritize onboarding, less than one-third of employees feel their employers effectively communicate essential updates. In retail, only 52% of workers feel their company is invested in them, and 40% report inadequate training. Restaurant workers face the most significant time constraints, with 40% reporting that they have no time to practice new skills despite needing to learn them daily or weekly. David Wentworth, Schoox’s VP and talent platform evangelist, highlighted the “jarring disconnect” between worker needs and employer provision, emphasizing that proper workplace training systems are now vital for organizations dependent on productive, safe frontline workforces.