Tulimegameno Shiiga
Worldwide, corporate success depends on effective employee training and development programmes. These programmes do not only give employees the chance to advance their knowledge, but they also give companies a chance to boost employee output and strengthen corporate culture. As a matter of fact, any activity that aids in an employee’s knowledge or skill acquisition or improvement falls under the category of employee training and development.
Professionals in talent development assist people in enhancing their performance at work through formal training. Additionally, development is the process of acquiring knowledge, abilities or attitudes that equip individuals with the necessary dispositions for challenging tasks. Employee development can take many different forms, among them training, coaching, mentoring, informal learning, self-directed learning and experiential learning.
Importance of training and development
The public sector undoubtedly has the largest workforce in Namibia, and employees must be highly trained, since they provide essential goods and services, such as healthcare, public education and defense.
They also play an important role in fostering economic growth and stability. Training in service delivery requirements could positively improve and motivate public officials’ performance to remain relevant to the needs of citizens. It is impossible to overstate the importance of training, which is required at every level for the following reasons: Training enhances an employee’s capabilities, which raises the output’s quality and quantity. Primary objectives will be accomplished because of effective training, therefore increasing employee returns. Enrolling your staff in courses in the public sector can only improve their capacity to perform in their place of employment. The advantage of investing in training and development that it builds capabilities, succession, innovation and knowledge base.
With this in mind, the public sector can use human resources procedures to assist employees in improving their performance in their positions through training and development.
Concerns about training and development
Some of the concerns with personnel training and development in the public sector
include the following.
Budgetary restraints: Insufficient money may prevent resources from being allocated for training programmes, impeding the development of skills and career advancement. Bureaucratic red tape: Organisations in the public sector frequently encounter administrative barriers that impede the execution of training programmes. Resistance to change: The success of development initiatives may be hampered by employees’ resistance to new technologies or methods of instruction. Political interference: Long-term training plans and priorities might be upset by changes in leadership and political agendas. Skill gaps: It can be difficult to close the specific skill gaps in a diverse public sector workforce.
Compliance and regulations: Public sector organisations are subject to stringent compliance standards, making it essential to incorporate these considerations into the design of training programmes.
Limited incentives: Employee motivation for training and development may be impacted by the lack of performance-based incentives. Evaluation and return of investment: In the public sector, determining the efficacy and return on investment of training programmes can be challenging. Ageing workforce: It is important to plan for the retirement of seasoned personnel and transfer their skills to newer hires. Technological developments: Constant training is necessary to keep up with the quickly changing technology. Public sector organisations frequently require strategic planning, teamwork and a dedication to investing in staff development to handle these issues.
Nipam
An applaudable initiative is the Namibian Institute of Public Administration and Management (Nipam), which aids in the knowledge and skill development of staff members.
According to the State-Owned Enterprise Governance Act 2 of 2006, the Nipam operates as a State-owned enterprise (SOE), with the responsibility of offering managerial
and administrative training, as well as acting as a think tank for the Namibian public sector. Nipam was tasked with developing a culture in the public sector that values good governance,
cooperation and coordination, forming alliances, conducting operational research, as well as evaluating capacity in a way that fosters learning. Nipam ensures that staff members and the organisation advance continuously and maintain their position as a leader in the public sector.
Performance management system
It is without a doubt that Namibia’s ministries are recognising the value of having performing staff members,
which is why the performance management system (PMS) was implemented. However, the PMS is still a work in progress in some ministries. It was developed to improve individual and, subsequently, organisational performance. The performance
appraisal system was first used by the government of the Republic of Namibia in 1997. However, due to several issues, it was suspended in 1998. Nevertheless, there was still a need to assess employees’ performance, which is why the public service established the PMS in 2010.
In summary, employee happiness, cost-effectiveness, adaptability and better service delivery are all benefits of staff training and development in the public sector, which ultimately benefits both the government and the people it serves. It usually requires a combination of political will, resource allocation, streamlined procedures and a dedication to a culture of continual learning to address the issues that the public sector faces regarding staff training and development. Despite the challenges, many public sector organisations understand the value of staff development and training, and they are trying to get past them to enhance the skills and productivity of their personnel. These investments will greatly contribute to the overall well-being and progress of society.
* Tulimegameno Shiiga is a University of Namibia student, pursuing a master’s degree in business administration (Public Sector Management).