Increase in Offers of Training and Development:

One of the interesting, and obvious, side-effects of the current economic recession, is the increase in emails offering training and development. I'm afraid I don't have rock-solid statistics so call this more of an anecdotal observation but the increase is noticeable. As an example (and not an endorsement), I've gotten several unsolicited emails from http://peakperformancesalestraining.com/. Their basic pitch is an offer to help me improve my sales skills: "Proactive Prospecting in a Negative Economy -- Overcome Call Reluctance and the Negative Impact of Ineffective Traditional Prospecting".

As a non-sales person, this particular trolling has no real impact on me. However, as noted previously, improving one's skills is a definite tactic for finding or holding onto one's position. Clearly, some sort of additional education can be very beneficial but caveat emptor.

College Enrollment is Up:

Reputable on-line training is one way to go as one looks to add to their educational arsenal. A more traditional approach as people look to improve their skills to gain an advantage in the work force, especially an ever more precarious work-force, is that people go back to and/or stay in school. That college enrollment is up is no surprise and is being reported by several sources, including USA today and Voice of America. Having just entered a student in UC Davis, I'm well aware of the increase in competition.

Employee Abuse on the Rise:

One of the more unsavory side-effects of a poor economy is that management may trend toward the dark-side.