ASSESSMENT OF TRAINING PRACTICES AND CHALLENGES AT MANAGEMENT SCIENCES FOR HEALTH – ETHIOPIA

Abstract

The study aims at assessing the overall training practices and challenges of Management Sciences for Health-Ethiopia. It looks through how TNA is conducted, how training is designed, how it is delivered and evaluated, and finally to find out the major challenges of training. Data were collected through a questionnaire and interview. The data were gathered through a combination of both unstructured interviews with higher level managers and a questionnaire addressed to the employees of the organization. The data received were analyzed by using narration and descriptive statistic. The findings of the research revealed that limited training programs are conducted in the organization by following the basic four steps which are assessing training needs, designing training programs, delivering training and evaluating the outcomes of training. Lack of TNA, unavailability of funding, lack of proper training plan, and difficulty in evaluating training outcome are mostly considered as the factors that hinder training programs from becoming successful. So in light of the above problems, the following recommendations were forwarded. Communicating professional development opportunities and training policy of the organization, conducting a formal TNA by involving the employees in identifying their training needs, use both internal and external training methods in accordance with the benefits of the organization, increasing employee motivation and increasing allocation of funds. Evaluation has to be also practiced all the way through the training programs using the various assessment techniques.