OA7 Training Needs Assessment

Training Needs Assessment

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Section 1: Demographics

1. Where do you work in XXXX? (Please select one of the following)

• XXX

• XXX

2. Where are you located?

   • XXX

   • XXX

   • XXX

3. In which State are you located?

   • [Drop down menu with all 50 states]

4. How long have you worked for XXXX?

• Less than 1 year

• 1 to 4 years

• 5 to 10 years

• More than 10 years

5. How long have you worked in your current position?

• Less than 1 year

• 1 to 4 years

• 5 to 10 years

• More than 10 years

6. What is your supervisory status?

• Non-supervisor: I do not supervise other employees.

• Team Leader: I am not an official supervisor, and I do not conduct performance appraisals; however, I provide employees day to day guidance in work projects.

• Supervisor: I am an official supervisor; I have supervisory responsibilities and conduct employees’ performance appraisals.

7. I plan to leave XXXX within the next 5 years due to:

• Retirement

• Lack of job opportunities within XXXX

• Lack of training/developmental opportunities within XXXX

• Personal reasons

• Don’t know/don’t plan on leaving

• Other [text box here]

Section 2: Organizational Factors Affecting Training Needs & Participation

8. How are your training needs currently identified? (Mark all that apply)

• By using an Individual Development Plan (IDP)

• Conversations with your manager/supervisor

• Self-assessment (e.g., you identify your own training courses, workshops, etc.)

• Formal assessment (e.g., training needs assessment, 360-degree leadership assessment)

• My training needs have not been assessed in the last year

• I have never had my training needs assessed

• I do not know

• Other: [text box here]

9. How would you prefer your training needs to be identified? (Mark all that apply)

• By using an Individual Development Plan (IDP)

• Conversations with your manager/supervisor

• Self-assessment (e.g., you identify your own training courses, workshops, etc.)

• Formal assessment (e.g., training needs assessment, 360-degree leadership assessment)

• I do not know

• Other: [text box here]

10. Have you completed an Individual Development Plan (IDP)?

• Yes

• No [skip to item 12]

• I do not know [skip to item 12]

11. How effective is your IDP in helping you identify your training needs?

• Very effective

• Effective

• Neither effective nor ineffective

• Ineffective

• Very ineffective

12. How are training opportunities currently communicated to you? (Mark all that apply)

• Communications from top leadership

• Communications from your direct supervisor

• Communications from the Professional Development Center

• Communications from a different group within the Department of Agriculture (e.g., XXX)

• Newsletters, emails, signs, or other marketing materials

• Town hall, staff, or other internal XXXX meetings

• Professional affiliations or memberships outside of XXXX

• Informal word of mouth

• Training opportunities are not communicated

• Other: [text box here]

13. How would you prefer training opportunities to be communicated? (Mark all that apply)

• Communications from top leadership

• Communications from your direct supervisor

• Communications from the Professional Development Center

• Communications from a different group within the Department of Agriculture (e.g., XXX)

• Newsletters, emails, signs, or other marketing materials

• Town hall, staff, or other internal XXXX meetings

• Professional affiliations or memberships outside of XXXX

• Informal word of mouth

• Other: [text box here]

14. Do you use a Learning Management System (LMS) for your training needs?

• Yes

• No [skip to item 16]

• I am not aware of an LMS [skip to item 16]

15. How effective is your LMS in meeting your training needs?

• Very effective

• Effective

• Neither effective nor ineffective

• Ineffective

• Very ineffective

Please indicate the extent to which you agree with the following statements:

	Strongly Disagree	Disagree	Neither Disagree nor Agree	Agree	Strongly Agree	No Basis to Judge
My supervisor supports my participation in training.	o	o	o	o	o	o
My supervisor and I have discussed my strengths and weaknesses in terms of the skills I need to perform my job effectively.
XXXX leadership supports my participation in training.	o	o	o	o	o	o
There is enough funding for me to attend training.	o	o	o	o	o	o
There is a clear process for signing up for training in XXXX.	o	o	o	o	o	o

Section 3: Aspects of the Employee that Affect Training Needs

Please indicate the extent to which you agree with the following statements:

	Strongly Disagree	Disagree	Neither Agree nor Disagree	Agree	Strongly Agree
I understand what training I need to be successful in my position.	o	o	o	o	o
I am motivated to participate in training.	o	o	o	o	o
The training I participate in helps me improve my job performance.	o	o	o	o	o
I am unable to participate in training because of my current workload or lack of work coverage.	o	o	o	o	o
I am unable to participate in training due to work/life issues (e.g. unable to travel or change daily schedule).	o	o	o	o	o

Section 4: Aspects of Training that Affecting Training Needs & Participation

26. How frequently do you currently participate in training?

• Never

• Weekly

• Monthly

• Quarterly

• Yearly

• As needed/available

27. How frequently would you like to participate in training in the future?

• Never

• Weekly

• Monthly

• Quarterly

• Yearly

• As needed/available

28. What months are best for you to attend training? (Mark all that apply)

• January

• February

• March

• April

• May

• June

• July

• August

• September

• October

• November

• December

29. What is your preferred method of learning? (Mark all that apply)

    • Lecture

    • Interactive participation (e.g., group discussion, class exercises, role playing)

    • Experiential learning (e.g., on-the-job training, rotational/detail assignments)

    • Self-teaching (e.g., reading, researching topics of interest)

    • Mentoring/Shadowing

    • Other [text box here]

30. What is your preferred mode of training participation? (Mark all that apply)

• In-person training

• Instructor led webinar

• Computer based training (self-paced)

• Recorded webinars

• Recorded videos

• Other [text box here]

31. What is your preferred location for in-person training? (Mark all that apply)

• In my own group’s workspace

• At my agency location, but removed from my group’s workspace (e.g., on a different floor)

• At another agency location (e.g., field office)

• Outside of my agency, but geographically local

• Outside of my agency and geographically at a distance (e.g., another state/country)

• Other [text box here]

32. Instructors establish credibility through: (Mark all that apply)

• Academic degree or background

• Reputation in topic area or field of expertise

• Professional experience or knowledge

• XXXX-specific experience or knowledge

• Presentation, facilitation, or instruction style

• Prior familiarity (e.g. attended a previous training provided by the instructor)

• Other [text box here]

33. Have you participated in training provided by your organization?  

• Yes, within the past 5 years

• Yes, over 5 years ago

• No [skip to 36.]

34. Please select the types of training or services provided by your organization in which you participated. (Mark all that apply)

• XXX

• XXX

• XXX

35. How satisfied are you with the training provided by your organization?

• Strongly Satisfied

• Satisfied

• Neither Satisfied nor dissatisfied

• Dissatisfied

• Very dissatisfied

36. Which of the following [CONTENT TYPE] training opportunities would help you do your job more effectively? (Mark all that apply)

• XXX

• XXX

• XXX

37. Have you participated in training provided outside of your organization in the past 5 years?  

• Yes

• No [skip to 45]

38. Why did you choose the outside training or development activity? (Mark all that apply)

• I could not find comparable training within my organization

• I did not look for comparable training within my organization

• The format of the training was more desirable

• The content of the training was more desirable/relevant to my job

• The outside organization has a better reputation

• The duration of the training better fit my needs

• The location of the training better fit my needs

• The training was offered more frequently/on a date that better fit my needs

• Other [text box here]

39. Please select the types of outside training in which you participated. (Mark all that apply)

• XXX

• XXX

• XXX

40. From whom did you receive the training? (Mark all that apply)

• A different agency within the Federal Government

• A different group within the Department of XXX

• A private-industry vendor

• A private or public college or university

• A professional group or society

• Other [text box here]

41. What additional types of job-specific training do you need?

[text box here]

42. Do you have other comments or suggestions you would like to provide to your organization? [text box here]

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