Proposing a Training Evaluation Strategy to Ensure Training Transfer in Public Sector Organizations in Pakistan: An exploratory Account

Abstract

Purpose

For human resources development training is a key scheme in attaining organization objectives. Evaluating training outcome is low in public organizations of Pakistan. This situation demands a viable training strategy based on systematic flow of processes and techniques to develop the workforce for practical application in job environment. This study addresses a doable training assessment strategy to ensure training effectiveness in public organizations of Pakistan.

Design

The study approach is based on theoretical phenomenon. It is a review of old and current approaches of training evaluation. The strategy presented in this study is based on critical review of diverse approaches to training evaluation to inculcate quality and bring improvement in training programs conducted in developing country environment such as Pakistan.

Findings

In Pakistani public organizations, there is no trend by this time to formally evaluate training outcome. But this unstable state of affairs will not last long. In future they will need to know what cost they incurred on training and what benefits did they acquire. This is essential to get training quality. This study addresses the policy makers in both public and private sectors of Pakistan to respond to the proposed training strategy as an innovative move to instill training as a thought provoking and willingly participative activity.

Research Limitations

This study is limited to assess training and evaluation needs of public organizations and their employees in Pakistan.

Practical Implications

In the awake of financial crisis and long debts, Pakistan needs to save every penny and must not give away any investment. This study invites public organizations to consider the proposed training assessment strategy for practical implementation. This study offers assistance to evaluation activities and presents solutions to gaps in performance and skill.

Originality/value

This study will contribute to the debate on training evaluation methods and techniques and finds its originality from literature review to conceive a training evaluation strategy and to develop a practicable methodology to judge training effectiveness.

Keywords

Public organizations, training assessment, evaluation, effectiveness, strategy,