Under the auspices of a United Stated Department of Education National Workplace Literacy Program grant, the Columbia-Willamette Skill Builders, a community college consortium, developed a prototype workplace educator training program in 1994. The Skill Builders workplace educator training program was 9 months long and offered 90 hours of instruction, including a 20 to 40 hour workplace field experience. Twenty-six people completed the prototype program. This investigative study posed two research questions: 1. What can we learn by identifying and evaluating the critical elements in a prototype workplace educator training program? 2. What can be gleaned through this investigation that can be utilized to design a workplace educator training program? Workplace educator is a new term emerging from the field of workplace literacy. A workplace educator facilitates basic learning involving language and computation, as well as communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and decision-making. An examination of the pertinent literature identified five fields that impact on workplace education: workplace basics; training and development; workplace literacy and the contextual teaching approaches; current management theory with an emphasis on the high performance work organization; and workplace learning. The critical elements involved in the prototype program were identified through extensive inquiry using questionnaires, survey evaluation instruments, personal interviews, reports, journal review of the participants, and a focus group of Portland, Oregon, area employer representatives managing workplace education. The identified critical elements include an understanding of: (a) education in the workplace; (b) the characteristics of workplace educators; (c) workplace culture and organizational practices; (d) business/ education relationships; (e) the educational environment; (f) needs assessment/evaluation and assessment procedures; (g) workplace program design; (h) how to facilitate learning; (i) the development of communication skills for the workplace educator; (j) culture, class, and gender diversity in the workplace; and (k) appropriate uses of instructional technology. In addition, the data were examined through an evaluation research framework using the Stufflebeam (1983) CIPP (context, input, process, and products) model. The analysis showed that the program was highly satisfactory to the participants. The most important finding in this study is the need for workplace educators to fully understand the workplace. / Graduation date: 1995

Thesis (M.S.)--Marshall University, 2001. / Title from document title page. Document formatted into pages; contains xi, 75,6 p. Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references (p. 71-72).

The modern workplace continues to transform at a radical and accelerated pace and successful and competitive organisations are able to turn their strategies into action faster, manage their processes more efficiently and maximise their employees’ contribution and commitment (Brewster, Carey, Grobler, Hollard and Wärnick, 2010:5). In addition, Vestal (2009:6) adds that one of the biggest challenges that managers face at the moment, is to find ways to engage employees in the organisation and build a sense of belonging that, hopefully, will support retention and long term commitment. This research study aimed to explore and describe the nature and extent of employee engagement among nursing employees working in private healthcare. This exploration also encompassed five facilitators which are considered to be crucial in the promotion of an engaged workforce. The identified facilitators include: leadership behaviour, working environment, communication, training and development and rewards and recognition. This was attained by using a quantitative, exploratory, descriptive and contextual research approach. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data from nursing employees working in one of the private hospitals in the Nelson Mandela Metropole. From the data, the overall degree of employee engagement was established as well as the significance of the five identified facilitators in employee engagement. Based on the analysed data, guidelines for the advancement of employee engagement are proposed that can assist management in the development of employee engagement practices and strategy formulation.

Thesis (MA)--Stellenbosch University, 2004. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In the current South African context the Government places a great deal of emphasis on the importance of adult training and development as a solution for addressing many social and economic problems. It is therefore important to investigate all aspects regarding the training context in order to optimise learning. The trainer plays an integral part within this system. Although literature regards the trainer as very important for training success, very little substantial research has been documented with regards to the influential factors on the training style orientation that trainers use when training adults. In order to investigate this problem, a study of the relevant literature is done. The following topics are examined for this purpose: The training system and the components thereof, andragogy and pedagogy as training style orientations, several trait theories of personality as the basis of the study, locus of control as a personality trait, and the influence of personality and more specifically locus of control within work-related settings. Three questionnaires were administered on a sample of 100 respondents, i.e. a Demographic questionnaire, the Training Style Inventory and the Locus of Control Inventory in order to generate data to investigate the research problem and hypotheses. The Demographic Questionnaire collected data regarding gender, age, qualifications, training experience, ethnicity, subject area of the training content, and type of organisation. The Training Style Inventory measured the training style orientation of the trainer respondents, and the Locus of Control Inventory was used to measure the locus of control of respondents. The results indicate support for the hypothesis that there is a statistical significant correlation between locus of control and training style orientation. More specifically, there is a statistically significant correlation between internal locus of control and the andragogical training style orientation, and also between external locus of control and the pedagogical training style orientation. The main objectives of this study were successfully achieved and documented. Conclusions and recommendations for further research are made. It is recommended that future research replicate the study with a greater and random sample of respondents, within the South African context. Also, investigating the effectiveness of the trainers as a result of their locus of control and training style orientation is an interesting possibility for future research. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: DIE VERBAND TUSSEN LOKUS VAN BEHEEROPLEIERS EN OPLEIDINGSTYLORIËNTASIE Die Suid-Afrikaanse regering plaas groot klem op die belangrikheid van volwasse opleiding en ontwikkeling in die huidige Suid-Afrikaanse konteks as 'n moontlike oplossing vir etlike sosiale en ekonomiese probleme. In 'n poging om leer te optimeer, is dit dus noodsaaklik om alle aspekte binne die opleidingskonteks deeglik in oënskou te neem. Die opleier speel 'n baie belangrike rol in die sukses van die opleidingsintervensie. Alhoewel die opleier binne die literatuur wel as In belangrike rolspeler in die sukses van opleidingsintervensies geag word, is daar baie min navorsing gedokumenteer oor die faktore wat die opleidingstyl wat opleiers tydens intervensies gebruik, beïnvloed. 'n Studie van die beskikbare literatuur ondersoek hierdie probleem. Die volgende onderwerpe is vir die doelondersoek: Die opleidingstelsel en die komponente daarvan, andragogie en pedagogie as opleidingstyloriëntasies, verskeie persoonlikheidstrekteorieë as die grondslag van die studie, lokus van beheer as 'n persoonlikheidstrek, en die invloed van persoonlikheid en meer spesifiek lokus van beheer binne die werksplek. Die data wat nodig is om die navorsingsprobleem te ondersoek en die hipoteses te toets, is ingesamel deur 100 respondente elk drie vraelyste te laat voltooi, naamlik 'n Demografiese vraelys, 'n Opleidingstylvraelys en 'n Lokus van Beheer-vraelys. Die demografiese vraelys het inligting ingesamel ten opsigte van geslag, ouderdom, kwalifikasies, opleidingservaring, etnisiteit, onderwerp van die opleidingsinhoud en die tipe organisasie betrokke. Die Opleidingstylvraelys het die opleidingstyloriëntasie van die opleiers wat deelgeneem het aan die studie gemeet, en die Lokus van Beheer vraelys is gebruik om die lokus van beheer van respondente te bepaal. Die resultate bevestig die hipotese dat daar 'n statisties beduidende verband bestaan tussen lokus van beheer en opleidingstyloriëntasie. Daar bestaan verder 'n statisties beduidende verband tussen interne lokus van beheer en 'n andragogiese opleidingstyloriëntasie, en ook tussen eksterne lokus van beheer en 'n pedagogiese opleidingstyloriëntasie. Die hoofdoelwitte van hierdie studie is suksesvol bereik en gedokumenteer. Gevolgtrekkings en aanbevelings vir toekomstige navorsing word ook gemaak. Die aanbeveling is dat toekomstige navorsing hierdie studie herhaal binne die Suid- Afrikaanse konteks. Die studie behoort ook 'n groter en ewekansige steekproef in te sluit. Die effektiwiteit van die opleiers as 'n resultaat van hul lokus van beheer en opleidingstyloriëntasie is ook 'n interessante moontlikheid vir verdere navorsing.

Thesis (MA)--University of Stellenbosch, 2000. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study was prompted by two significant aspects within the South African training field. Firstly, the attitude of the South African Government towards training in terms of legislation made it evident that trainers will progressively playa more important role in organisations. Secondly, although literature regard the trainer as one of the important role-players in the training situation, no substantial research has been done on training style as an aspect that can influence the trainer's performance and ultimately the effectiveness of training. In order to address this void, the research was dedicated to determine whether a systematic relationship exists between the personality of a __trainer and his/her training style. The following topics were examined by means of a selective study of the literature: adult learners as the target _ of training programmes; pedagogy and andragogy as orientations to training; the trainer; the definition of training style; the trait theory of personality as the basis of the study; and empirical studies done on the topic prior to this study. In order to gather the necessary information, three questionnaires were administered to a sample of 96 trainers. The 16-PF, which is an established questionnaire, was used to collect data about the personality traits of the respondents. Furthermore, a questionnaire namely the Training Style Inventory was developed to measure the training style of trainers. Trainers were then accordingly grouped in one of five types of training styles. The last questionnaire gathered information regarding demographic aspects of the sample. The study found limited support for the hypothesis that there exists a systematic relationship between personality and training style. However, it was found that certain dimensions of personality do playa role in the manifestation of a certain training style. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie studie was geinspireer deur twee opmerklike aspekte binne die Suid-Afrikaanse opleidingsveld. Eerstens, die Suid-Afrikaanse Regering se houding jeens opleiding in terme van wetgewing, het dit duidelik gemaak dat opleiers voortaan 'n toenemend belangrike rol in organisasies sal vervul. Ten tweede het navorsing reeds bevestig dat die opleier een van die belangrike rolspelers in die opleiding situasie is. Daar is egter tot op hede geen noemenswaardige navorsing gedoen op opleidingstyl as 'n aspek wat die werkverrigting van die opleier en uiteindelik die effektiwiteit van opleiding beïnvloed nie. Ten einde hierdie leemte aan te spreek, was die doel van hiedie navorsing om te bepaal of daar 'n sistematiese verband bestaan tussen die persoonlikheid van 'n opleier en syjhaar opleidingstyl. Deur middel van selektiewe literatuurstudie is die volgende ondersoek: die volwasse leerder as die teiken van opleidingsprogramme; pedagogie en andragogie as orientasies tot opleiding; die opleier; definiering van opleidingstyl; die trekteorie van persoonlikheid as die basis van die studie; en empiriese studies oor die onderwerp wat hierdie navorsing vooraf gegaan het. Om die nodige inligting in te samel is drie vraelyste deur 'n steekproef van 96 opleiers ingevul. Die 16-PF wat as 'n gevestigde meetinstrument bekend staan, is gebruik om inligting in te sameloor die persoonlikheidstrekke van die respondente. Voorts is 'n vraelys naamlik die Training Style Inventory ontwikkelom die opleidingstyl van die opleiers te meet. Opleiers is daarna ooreenkomstig gegroepeer in een van vyf opleidingstyle. Die laaste vraelys het inligting ingesamel aangaande die demografiese aspekte van die steekproef. Die studie het beperkte steun gevind vir die hipotese dat daar 'n verwantskap bestaan tussen persoonlikheid en opleidingstyl. Daar is egter gevind dat sekere dimensies van persoonlikheid wel 'n rol speel in die verklaring van die manifestering van 'n sekere opleidingstyl.

The purpose of this study was to use evaluation research methods to test the effectiveness of a model for planning programs in the defense industry.One of the major reasons for deficiencies in both training and education of Program Managers is the lack of a generic Program Management Planning Process which contains essential elements of program planning and which can be modified or tailored to accommodate the specifics of a given program.This study addressed the following evaluation research questions with regard to a selected Program Management Planning Process:1. How adequate is the functional Performance Measurement Baseline, as a result of following the Program Management Planning Process of this study?2. What is the quality of the resulting Performance Measurement Baseline?3. To what extent are the efforts in creating a performance measurement baseline as defined by the Program Management Planning Process of this study perceived as justified?4. Is the methodology employed in this evaluation research study generalizable to other studies of planning processes?5. Relative to integrated linear and integrated nonlinear models of planning processes, what does this study reveal?The results indicated:1. All of the activities of the Program Management Planning Process of this study were performed and their culminating products produced.2. The Performance Measurement Baseline for the program of this study was satisfactory, but subject to short-term obsolescence and may have been created without sufficient attention being paid to potentially significant cost, schedule or technical program drivers.3. The program planning team participants did believe the Program Management Planning Process of this study added sufficient value, over alternative methodologies, to merit its continued use.4. On the whole, the methodology employed in this research study proved to be generalizable for use on other programs.5. The findings of this study support the proposition that integrated nonlinear planning models are really macro-models and integrated linear models are really micro-models, as applicable to program planning. They are not separate models, but, in fact, the integrated linear model is a subset of the higher level integrated nonlinear model. / Department of Educational Leadership

M.Ed. / South Africa needs to spread its available and required competence, skills and educational basis among its broad population (Valchanges, 1992:23). This is reflected in South Africa being rated 43rd out of 47 countries in the human development and skills level, or put differently, 14th out of 15 Group II countries in the World Competitiveness Report of 1992 (Gerber, Nel and Van Dyk, 1995:6). The South African educational system also ranked 14th of the 15 Group II countries in the same report (Gerber, et al, 1995:7). The situation is even worse if the World Competitiveness Report of 1995 is taken into consideration. South Africa ranked. 44th of 46 countries regarding its human resource development (Buffington and Associates, 1996; Rossouw, 1996:3; Pretoria News, 29 May 1996). If the above is taken into consideration it is clear that the start of the National Training Board (NTB) process that began in 1993 was necessary. The initial debates in the process were located within the vocational training context (HSRC, 1995:34). Four stakeholders entered the initial NTB process; namely: The government of the day with official representation by the departments of Education and Labour (called the Department of Manpower at the time); Representatives of different employers organisations; Representatives of organised labour; and Providers of learning. Different concerns from each of the above stakeholders caused a shift in the debate from a concern about vocational training to a broader concept of vocational education and training. This lead to the argument of an integrated approach. Thus: The field of education, training and development should adopt an integrated approach to all activities and systems currently classified as education and training and, unlike the past concentrate on vocational training only (HSRC, 1995:35). As part of such an integrated approach, education, training and development should not be seen as separate entities, but as one unit within the larger field of human resource development, i.e. the development of all those involved in Education, Training and Development (ETD), must be ranked as one of the biggest priorities in South Africa (National Training Board, 1995a:5). In November 1993, Working Committee 3 of the NTB submitted a report on "Trainer Development", under the title of "Education, Training and Development Practitioner" (NTB Annexure A, 1995c:2) thus starting a process of integrating the ETD field. Those involved in ETD were referred to as Education, Training and Development Practitioners (ETDP). The original task given to Working Committee 3 reads as follows: "Develop a South African competency-based model for trainers. Identify requirements for registration, certification, accreditation and recognition of existing qualifications and experience or competency in a national integrated certification/qualification structure." The ETDP competency model must be based on outcomes/outputs as a central focus, that will link the ETDP competency model with the National Qualifications Framework (NQF), thus ensuring registration, certification, accreditation and recognition of existing qualifications and experience (NTB, 1995c:21. To ensure that the ETDP Model complies to the requirements of the NQF (NTB, 1995a:5) it must be described in terms of: Roles; Outputs/Outcomes; Quality Standards; Competencies linked to outputs/outcomes; Range variables; and Levels of complexity.

As Western business increases in China and China acquires more technology from the West, the need to effectively train the Chinese workforce becomes more important. Identifying and understanding the perceived problems that Western corporate trainers encounter when they train Chinese may lead to more effective and efficient training programs. This study examines the experiences of trainers, working for American companies, who have designed and implemented training programs for Chinese from the People's Republic of China. The purpose of the study is to identify perceived problems the trainers encounter and to determine whether differences between Chinese and American cultures may account for these problems. Hofstede's Value Dimensions of Cultural Difference and Hall's Low-High Context Communication Schema are used to analyze the dimensions of cultural difference operating between the trainers and students of these training programs. Hofstede's and Hall's rating of U. S. culture as an individualist, moderately low power-distance, moderately weak uncertainty-avoidance, low context culture contrasts with the collectivist, moderately high power-distance, moderately strong uncertainty-avoidance, high context Chinese culture. Hofstede suggests that when a trainer from a culture with the American configuration trains students from a culture with a Chinese configuration several problems are likely to occur. Specific examples are included in the text. In-depth interviews, lasting between two and three hours, were conducted with nine trainers working for eight American companies. The data were analyzed using an ongoing constant comparative method which produced evolving problem categories and themes. In the final analysis of the data, three major problem categories, each with several subcategories, emerged. The major problem category, Power and Authority includes problems dealing with, Bureaucratic Maze, Decision-making, Getting Things Done, Communication, and the Chinese system of Connections. The second major problem category, Training and Learning Problems describes problems pertaining to Language, Training and Learning Processes, Problem-solving, Technical Sophistication, and Selection of Trainees. The third major problem category, Work Attitudes and Behavior addresses problems relating to Motivation, Responsibility, and Work Habits. Using Hofstede's Dimensions of Cultural Differences and Hall's Low-High Context Communication Schema, a sample of the most salient problems are analyzed for cultural differences between Chinese and American culture. Hofstede's and Hall's theories identify various dimensions of cultural differences between China and the U.S. which potentially lead to problems in a training context. The research revealed several perceived problems common to trainers of Western companies in training Chinese from the People's Republic. This study concludes that many of these problems can be explained in terms of the cultural differences identified by Hofstede and Hall. Finally, recommendations are made concerning both design and implementation of more effective training for Chinese. Possibilities for future study are suggested.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the role ambiguity, role conflict, and job satisfaction perceptions among selected Human Resource Development (HRD) practitioners. The study's target population was the American Society for Training and Development (ASTD)—Dallas Chapter. The independent variables used in this study consisted of HRD practitioners' gender, age, length of HRD experience, educational level, and HRD role category.

No description available.