The Power of Training: Why Investing in Your People Drives Performance

Decades of research make one thing abundantly clear: the more training your employees receive, the better they perform. High-performing organizations don’t just stumble into success—they create it through strategic investment in employee development. This proves true once again as we get ready to publish our State of the PMO 2025 research report. Here are some sneak peeks at the numbers we're seeing and what they mean in today's organizational training landscape. 

Our latest State of the PMO 2025 research report data shows (and has consistently shown since 2007) a direct correlation between training and performance, especially in PMOs. High-performing organizations offer more kinds of training, for more days, and in more advanced topics. 

Training isn’t a luxury; it’s a necessity. Most PMOs (79%) provide project management-related training, and the difference between high and low performers is stark. In top-performing PMOs, 83% of staff receive specialized training, compared to just 52% in lower-performing counterparts. The takeaway? Investing in your team’s skills directly improves outcomes.

Alarmingly, the number of PMOs not offering training has risen sharply—from 12% in 2022 to 21% today. This backslide is particularly evident in manufacturing, where 56% of PMOs offer no training at all. Contrast that with professional services organizations, where 88% invest in PM-related training, and it’s clear which industries are positioning themselves for long-term success.

Size and scope also matter. Larger organizations are more likely to skip training, surprisingly, with 36% offering none. Meanwhile, PMOs operating at the enterprise or strategic level overwhelmingly prioritize training—91% offer it—demonstrating a clear understanding of its value in driving organizational goals.

The conclusion is simple: training is not just about knowledge; it’s about performance, culture, and future readiness. Organizations that want to lead must first invest in the people who will take them there.

Are you empowering your employees with the training they need to succeed?