Abstract:
Training and developing staff are key elements in the achievement of
organisational goals, and the performance and quality of an organisation depend
on the quality of its human resource. The objective of the study was to assess the
staff training and development process at the Takoradi Polytechnic.
The data for the study was gathered through two media - questionnaires
and interview guide. The study employed the quota and simple random sampling
techniques. A total of 222 respondents, out of a sample size of 269, provided
valuable responses for the study.
The study revealed that several factors such as inadequate opportunities
for staff development and lack of funds challenged effective staff training and
development at the Takoradi Polytechnic. It emerged that the major benefit of the
staff development policy was the provision of study leave with pay and the
provision of scholarship and sponsorship to staff. First Degree was, generally,
identified as the staff’s most preferred training. It was again evident that the most
common training programme offered to staff at the Takoradi Polytechnic was
seminars.
It was recommended that adequate training opportunities and enough
funds be provided for all categories of staff to enable them improve upon their
current abilities. Innovative ways such as the provision of periodic publications on
the policy should also be introduced to sensitise all staff on the staff development
policy.
