The slowdown in growth in patent filings in China has provided many IP firms with an ideal opportunity to improve their employees' skills. In recent months, many firms in mainland China have increased their budgets to develop, nurture and retain their employees in an industry that continues to starve of talent.
According to figures released by the World Intellectual Property Organization in January, China enjoyed a growth rate of 11.9% in patent filings during 2008. This figure compares to 38.1% growth over the same period in 2007.
Yaxley Education, one foreign-owned corporate training firm based in Beijing, has seen an increase in the number of law firms looking for training providers. The firm recently signed training contracts with China's first privately owned intellectual property law firm, China Sinda Intellectual Property. The law firm is the fourth to sign with Yaxley Education in the past six months.
"We have certainly seen an increase in the number of enquiries from law firms. Companies are particularly interested in improving the English skills of their staff," says James Hudson, a corporate trainer at Yaxley Education . "As China Sinda's clients are predominantly foreign companies, they understand the importance of ensuring their staff have both excellent oral and written English".
“It is great to see many organisations continue to invest in training. When things are quiet it is important to keep your staff busy- and providing them with new skills can be an ideal way to do so,” says Drew Ross, Managing Director of the company.
