Competency-based training needs analysis (TNA): An empirical study of Gulf University for science and technology, Kuwait

Competency-based training needs analysis (TNA): An empirical study of Gulf University for science and technology, Kuwait

George O Tasie, Ph. D

 Professor of Management School of Business and Entrepreneurship, American University of Nigeria, Yola

Received 5 March, 2011; Accepted 6 April, 2011

This study was undertaken to carry out a Training Needs Analysis (TNA) on all academic staffs (Professors, Associate Professors, Lecturers/Assistant Lecturers, Language Instructors and Tutors) at Gulf University for Science and Technology, Kuwait.  A competency profile was then established and validated by focus groups which comprised of faculty members with various disciplines from three departments namely Management and Marketing, Modern Language and Finance and Economics. Questionnaire was later developed based on these profiles such as Teaching, Research, Consultation, Publication, and Community Services. Other competencies deemed important such as ICT, Language and General Skills (such as managing stress, managing project. self management etc.) were also included. It was distributed to 133 academic staffs. Only 89(66.9%) duly completed questionnaires were returned for analyses. The findings of this study discovered the existence of gaps in the above mentioned competencies among various academicians as well as identifying specific training needed by certain levels. This paper attempts to discuss how a systematic TNA can be conducted within an academic environment for the purpose of enhancing employees’ skills, abilities and other characteristics that will lead to high performance.

Keyword: Competency-based, Training needs analysis, HR analyst, Gulf