Abstract
Training Needs Analysis is crucial in determining the employees’
skills or lack of. By identifying employees’ training needs, the company can
decide the suitable programs for each employee.
This reflection will define
what training needs analysis is and how it helped me to upgrade myself within
the organization. It will also explain how my employer encourages employees to
undergo trainings.
1
Introduction
According to Deborah Tobey, training needs
assessment is the process of identifying how training can help organization
reach their goals (Tobey, 2005 p. 2). A training needs analysis determines
whether there is a need for employees to undergo trainings in order for them to
remain relevant and/or be more productive. Through this assessment, companies can
identify if there is a gap in current skill level and future skill needs.
This reflection will give my personal
experience while working in my current company, and how opportunities were given
in order for me to upgrade myself within the company.
2
Training Needs Survey
In mid 2013, everyone in my office received
an email, requiring them to fill up a Training Needs Survey. We were asked to
identify our strengths & weaknesses, and determine if we need or want to go
for some upgrading courses. It’s the same year that our profits were down, so I
assume that they conducted a Training Needs Analysis to improve productivity
and sales.
After filling up the form, there were no
training programs introduced. There are three possibilities:
a)
The employees wrote that they
have the skills mentioned in the survey, in order to avoid trainings
b)
External factors were dragging
profits down, instead of lack of skills
c)
The company’s budget doesn't
allow for the whole office to undergo training
For me personally, I wrote that I’m
interested to learn more and go for training. I wasn’t asked to go for training
shortly after the survey. However, opportunities came for me the following
year. I can’t tell for sure if it has anything to do with the training needs
survey or my hard work & dedication to my job. Nonetheless, the
opportunities did help me understand my role better.
3
New Projects and Overseas Trips
During the same period, when we were asked
to fill up the training needs survey, I was tasked to takeover a project that
has been in place for several years. This project is part of the company’s plan
to remain relevant and achieve their year 2020 goals. It is a very important
assignment, and I was glad that I was given the chance to play an important
role in it.
This project allows me to travel to
countries that I have never been before. By traveling, I could understand the
market’s demands and learn how to fulfill the clients’ needs. These trips made
me more knowledgeable about the business and helped the company increase its
sales.
4
Encouragements by the Company
As mentioned above, my employer introduced
no training programs (except for one of my colleagues, who went to Holland for
a 3 months training). However, we were always encouraged to take up courses
that could benefit both the individuals and the company. The company is willing
to foot the course fees if employees want to take up any courses.
I personally believe that most of my
colleagues need some form of training. Through my observations, they are
actually skillful in what they are currently doing. But they are reluctant in
learning new things and taking on new challenges. I think what they need is
motivational talk, and not training.
I would suggest that the company engage a
motivational speaker to talk about the importance of change and why we need to
accept them in order to survive and remain relevant.
5
Conclusion
Training needs analysis might have assisted
me in getting in-depth knowledge about the industry and increase the key
performance index of the company. However, there are still some rough edges to
work on. The company probably needs to perform another training needs analysis
in order for them to achieve their year 2020 goals.
Reference
Tobey, Deborah 2005, Needs Assessment Basics, 1st edn, ASTD, Virginia
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