Training Needs Assessment

NCHRP SYNTHESIS 362: Training Programs, Policies and Practices

State	Training Needs Assessment Conducted?	Update frequency	Internal Roles Involved	External Roles Involved	Needs Related to Mission-Critical Competencies?	How is the training needs assessment tied to funding?
AR	Team develops the assessment		Upper and mid-level managers and employees		N/A	Training is funded through the HR division, with money allocated for training
AZ	One-on-one interviews, focus groups, written instruments	When work changes; Low performance; New process implemented	Executives, managers, employees	Consultants	x	Pay raises are determined from assessments
CA	Office of Professional Development (OPD) distributes an annual survey and incorporates results into OPD strategic plan	Annually	Transportation planning functions within each district, "modal" planning divisions in headquarters		x	Office of Professional Development (OPD) funds operational costs of training. Planning districts and headquarters units are responsible for travel costs.
ID	Questionnaire, focus groups	2 to 3yrs	All levels. Focus groups with executive staff, section managers, mid-level supervisors, employees		No	Linking training needs assessment to strategic plan goals is currently being tested
LA	Construction and maintenance training units meet annually with their Work Plan Committee members to perform assessment	Annually	Division and section heads, managers, district admin, district training coordinators and specialists	To be developed Feb '06	x	Needs are cited in the budget request and work program documentation
MD	Training coordinator, manager, employee conduct a Personnel Development Plan	Annually	All customers		x	Funding requests/ allocations are based on previous budget vs. actual spent by division
MI	No	N/A	N/A		N/A	-
MO	Statewide focus groups	5yrs	District and division directors		-	-
MT	Identify gaps in knowledge, training, technology, procedures; Management development training to prepare employees to be supervisors	As-needed	Managers, supervisors, employees	On an individual basis	Sometimes	1/2% of the SPR funds are used for training
ND	Department-wide survey; Annually collect individual professional development and career development needs; Notified by divisions and districts of specific needs	Annually	All levels		No	Program professional development based on identified needs
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