Question: Overview of exercise: Students will assess the training needs of a specific group in order to design appropriate training for them.
Objective of exercise: By the end of this activity, participants will be able to:
• Identify training needs of a specific group.
Structure and approach of exercise: • Read job tasks associated Administrative Clerk II position.
• List knowledge, skills and attitudes that the person would need.
• Read profile of the target group.
• List knowledge, skills and attitudes they need to perform effectively the job.
Profile of Target Group: This assignment will help you to gain a better understanding of the relationship between the training needs analysis, KSAs, and competencies. You have been asked to design a training module for Administrative Clerks who have been promoted to the Administrative Clerk II position. Unfortunately, not understanding the connection between KSAs and organizational performance, managers believed erroneously that the individuals would simply learn the job over time. Therefore, it was not necessary to determine if they possessed the KSAs required to perform effectively in the Administrative Clerk II job.
Recognizing their error, managers have tasked you with conducting a training needs analysis. Part of the analysis requires the creation of a list of KSAs the newly promoted employees will need to be successful in the job. The list will provide a benchmark of the performance levels and KSAs trainees possess prior to training.
Parameters: Read through the Administrative Clerk II tasks in the table on page 2. List the knowledge, skills and attitudes you would expect employees to have in order to work effectively in the position. As a reminder:
• Knowledge: relates to intellectual skills such as the recall, comprehension, application, analysis, synthesis and evaluation of data/information
• Skill: relates to physical skill development such as those needed to operate equipment
• Attitude: relates to the attitudes, values and emotions displayed. For example interest, attention, concern, and responsibility, ability to listen and respond in interactions with others.
After listing the essential KSAs in the table, answer the following questions:
1. Why are KSAs important?
2. Describe the relationship between KSAs and the training needs analysis (TNA).
3. Illustrate the differences between KSAs and competencies.
4. Some organizations have opted to focus on competencies. Explain the benefits of using a competency model as opposed to a KSA approach to improve employee job performance.
Job tasks associated with Administrative Clerk II job
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Tasks
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KSAs
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Operate word processor or computer remote terminal.
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Conduct research as directed.
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Type and proofread a variety of documents including reports, memos, and statistical charts.
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Perform a wide variety of routine clerical works including filing, billing, checking and recording information on records.
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Perform record keeping for various funds and expenditures.
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Maintain personnel and payroll records of departmental personnel; process a variety of forms to initiate changes in records.
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Act as receptionist; answer the telephone and wait on the general public.
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May maintain petty cash fund; accept payment of fees; maintain and process cash records.
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