Abstract

FERREIRA, Rodrigo R.  and  ABBAD, Gardênia da Silva. Training needs assessment at work: a prospective method. Rev. Psicol., Organ. Trab. [online]. 2014, vol.14, n.1, pp. 01-17. ISSN 1984-6657.

The aim of this research was to propose a prospective method to identify training needs in organizational settings. The study location was a large Brazilian public agency, and the sample consisted of public building inspectors. Analysis of the literature on Training Needs Assessment (TNA) shows the prevalence of ad-hoc practices, with little focus on exploring future needs of employees and the organization. In the Psychology area, there are studies addressing predominantly the individual (micro) level of analysis. In the Management area, the analyses emphasize the organizational (macro) level, but lack a systematic approach. In the first stage of this research, documents on the organization and on building inspection activities were analyzed. Collective and individual structured interviews were conducted. In the second stage, the participants completed a TNA quantitative instrument. The questionnaire contained 47 competency items associated with two eleven-point (0-10) Likert scales. Sixty-six (66) respondents were considered valid. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The results show training needs in various competencies, especially in those considered emerging in the building inspection field. The proposed method proved effective in constructing measures of learning needs, indicators of challenges and changes for the organization, indicators of worker skills gaps, and determining the nature, magnitude, and priority of training needs. We conclude with a proposed research agenda.

Keywords : personnel development; learning at work; corporate education.

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