Systematic Training Needs Assessment and Employee Performance: Evidence from Thisplay Limited, Rwanda
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.53819/81018102t2601Abstract
Structured training needs assessment is important for matching human resource interventions with the competencies required for high employee performance. At Thisplay Limited, performance appraisal records indicated recurring service-quality shortfalls and unaddressed skill gaps, suggesting that training decisions required clearer evidence from organisational, task and individual analysis. This study examined the effect of training needs assessment on employee performance at Thisplay Limited, Rwanda. The study was anchored on Human Capital Theory and adopted a descriptive survey design with a mixed-methods approach. The target population comprised 197 directors, managerial staff, technicians and field officers, from which 132 respondents were selected using Slovin's formula. Stratified random sampling and simple random sampling techniques were applied within employee categories. Data were collected through structured questionnaires and analysed using SPSS version 25 through descriptive statistics and simple linear regression, while open-ended responses were analysed thematically. Findings showed that training needs assessment was perceived positively (M = 4.24, SD = .871), while employee performance was also high (M = 4.34, SD = .875). Regression results indicated that training needs assessment had a positive and statistically significant effect on employee performance (B = .597, t = 10.119, p = .000), and the model explained 46.4% of the variation in performance (R² = .464). The study concludes that systematic diagnosis of training gaps improves employee performance at Thisplay Limited. It recommends that the company institutionalise a formal training needs assessment policy supported by periodic skills audits, supervisor feedback and employee participation.
Keywords: Systematic training needs assessment, employee performance, Human Capital Theory, Thisplay Limited, Rwanda
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