Investment in IT training - and project management training in particular - has the potential to deliver a way out of the recession, according to IT and services provider Parity.

A recent survey by the firm found project management topped businesses’ training ‘wish lists’ in the face of uncertain economic climate, with 68 per cent cited this area as a key investment.

Demand for training in project management was up 5 per cent on 2007, with over two-thirds of respondents looking to invest in the training area in the next two years.

Alwyn Welch, chief executive of Parity, said: “This time around the recession will be different for IT, and we need to communicate that: far from being the cause of the recession, IT has the potential to deliver a way out of it.

“It is at the heart of the way businesses will pull through the recession, and needs a skilled, UK-based workforce of IT specialists and project managers to make it a success.”

Weaker demand for training was revealed in technical skills which was down 53 per cent, end user skills was also down (39 per cent), as well as service management skills (9 per cent).

Welch added: “With belts being tightened across the business, training investors are reviewing critical projects and asking themselves what will deliver the biggest return, and what skills are needed to do this.

“It is key that training delivers real business value in the current climate. Ultimately, training has to provide value – now more than ever – and project management skills are deemed to deliver.”