Purpose: The aim of this article is to gain insight into some of the factors that determine personnel-training efforts in companies introducing advanced manufacturing technologies (AMTs). The study provides empirical evidence from a sector with high rates of technological modernisation. Design/methodology/approach: "Ad hoc" survey of 90 firms in the manufacturing sector with advanced manufacturing technologies in production processes. Findings: Managerial decision to develop training is determined by a factor that is extraneous to the investment in new production technologies, that is to say, recruitment policies. As for the existence of a specific training budget, implementation of AMTs does not appear to determine a company's decision to allocate specific budget items to personnel-training programmes. It is concluded that training policies are strongly influenced by factors outside the inner context of the organisation. Research limitations/implications: Similar research could be conducted on informal corporate training, working with additional variables to determine how they affect company training policies. The propositions were tested in a specific industry and area. Further research would be convenient in different regions and sectors. Originality/value: Contributes to the literature in human resources about the adaptation of human resources strategy to necessary changes in the workplace. (Contains 9 tables.)