Validating a Multi-Layer Qualitative Needs Assessment to Highlight Training Requirements in Traditional Small Enterprises: Case Study Iranian Stone Industries

Author(s):

Nematollah AziziArash Gavazi

Conference:

ECER 2010

Network:

2. Vocational Education and Training (VETNET)

Format:

Paper

Session Information

02 SES 11 A, Training Needs, Labour Market Orientation

Paper Session

Time:

2010-08-27

14:45-16:15

Room:

P722, Porthania

Chair:

Christof Nägele

Contribution

A training need assessment is a systematic exploration of the way things are and the way they should be. This can be done by several methods and approaches but what is important is finding innovative approaches based on the field circumstances that support more responsive, flexible and effective training, particularly in skills shortage areas. As an ongoing study, this paper aims to test and validate a multi-layer qualitative training needs assessment which was designed for highlighting the strategy of the stone industry at the first stage and analyzing organizational, departmental, group and individuals training needs in the traditional sector of industry. But in the final stage this paper tries to answer the following research questions:

1. What are the most important strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats in the stone industry? (focusing on human resources trends and circumstances)

2. What are the ten important training needs in both managerial and production line levels?

3. How and by what kind of training programs the existing skill gap can be filled effectively?

Method

Using the following qualitative methods, the project was specifically conducted to test and validate a designed multi-layer qualitative training needs assessment in the small enterprises in the Esfahan’s Stone Industry Regions, and consequently to carry out a needs assessment to identify workplace essential skills gaps and required resources, and to recommend a demonstration project for implementing creative solutions to address employers’ needs for recruiting, training, and retaining a skilled workforce: 1. Key Informant Interviews 2. Employer-Owner Survey 3. Success Stories 4. On-site discussions and observations

Expected Outcomes

The validating of current needs assessment model suggest that the design and implementation of an innovative demonstration project is warranted to address the specific workforce and skills challenges that small businesses specifically in stone industry are facing within the studied regions. Additionally the results showed that there is a big gap between the employers expectation and the skills and qualifications level of workers whom mostly are from illiterate and low educated Afghan’s migrants. This is a concerning difficulties for training organizations and TVE centers in terms of providing understandable and applicable training courses. Further action research therefore, is needed to develop a proactive model of inter-agency collaboration, with a focus on under-utilized workforce segments, to identify human resource “best practices” and infrastructure needs that can serve as a planning and service-delivery template for other regions across the province.

References

Abdullah, H. (2009). Training Needs Assessment and Analysis: A Case of Malaysian Manufacturing Firms. European Journal of Scientific Research 37 (3), 351-360. Callan, V. J. (2009). How training organisations are using e-learning to support national training initiatives around apprenticeships and RPL . paper presented to E-learning: AVETRA 2009 conference paper Creswell, J. W. (2003). Research Design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches. (2nd ed) Thousand Oaks, California, Sage Publications, Inc. Creswell, J.W. and Miller, D. L. (2000). Determining validity in qualitative inquiry. Theory into Practice, 39 (3): pp. 124-130. Leigh, D., Watkins, R., Platt, W.A. and Kaufman, R. (2000). Alternative models of needs assessment: Selecting the right one for your organization. Human Resource Development Quarterly, 11 (1): pp. 87-93.

Author Information

Nematollah Azizi

University of Kurdistan

Education

Sanandaj

Arash Gavazi

University of Kurdistan, Iran, Islamic Republic of

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