2.6 End-user training remains a weak spot

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One of the biggest concerns that many IT managers have is the ability of end users to actually use IT. Survey respondents were asked if they felt that their organizations adequately train end users on how to use computer systems and applications. The lack of end-user skills can result in mishaps and undetected unauthorized activities when end users do not know what to observe or report. As is shown in Table 2.10, respondents were pretty well split on their viewpoints about the adequacy of training for end users in their organization with 47 percent reporting they felt training was adequate, and 45 percent reporting that they did not feel that training was adequate.

Table 2.10: End Users Adequately Trained

Response	Percent
Yes	47
No	45
Undecided	8

In a related question, respondents were asked if their organizations trained employees on the ethical management of intellectual property. Neglecting to train employees in this area may lead to such activities as the unauthorized installation of software on their work computers that results in a security problem. It may also result in employees improperly dispensing sensitive information. Table 2.11 shows the status of training on intellectual property management.

Table 2.11: Status of Training on Intellectual Property Management

Status	Percent
No employees have been trained	16
Very few employees have been trained	28
Most employees have been trained	19
All employees have been trained	25
Training is being developed	4
I do not know the answer to this question	8
Other	0

In another question related to education, respondents were asked if they felt that public education in the United States is adequately educating children to work in the information age. As is shown in Table 2.12, 56 percent of the survey respondents felt that public education in the United States is not adequately educating children to work in the information age.

Table 2.12: Adequate Public Education

Response	Percent
Yes	21
No	56
Undecided	23

Respondents were also asked how their organizations support efforts to reduce the digital divide (Table 2.13). The largest percentage (44%) contribute money or equipment to educational programs; the next largest accepts trainees from educational organizations in cooperative education programs (35%); the third largest allows employees to take time off with pay to do volunteer work (29%).

Table 2.13: Organizations' Efforts to Address the Digital Divide

Method	Percent
Contributes money or equipment to education programs	44
Allows employees to take time off with pay to do volunteer work	29
Accepts trainees from educational organizations in cooperative education programs	35
Does nothing at all	18
I do not know the answer to this question	27
Other	6

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