ASSESMENT OF TRAINING PRACTICES OF UNITED BANK S.C

Abstract

The main objective of this study was to assess the training practices of United Bank S.C. It addressed what practices UB has been pursuing to develop its human resource to keep them ready to work in changing environment and work standard was a subject of interest for study. Descriptive research method was adopted by using both primary and secondary data collection methods. The view of selected training expert including branch managers on the training process and challenges faced in implementing training plan was explored through interview and the perception of employees on the key training practices of the bank was explored through a questionnaire. Questionnaires were completed by 164 employees who were selected using simple random sampling technique from 16 branches of the bank in Addis Ababa. The data collected were carefully analyzed using descriptive statistics to represent the raw data in a meaningful manner. The main findings of the study show that despite there is training and planning section at corporate level, there is a lack of sophistication in the implementation of the training processes: needs assessment, design, implementation and evaluation. The study result also revealed that the bank weakness in training practices such as with respect to periodic and clear need assessment, selection criteria, training period‟s adequacy and training evaluation. However, training was as such good in relation to trainer‟s capabilities and supply of all necessary training materials. In sum, a key issue that needs to be addressed is the relatively low sophistication of training practices in united bank. This could be the result of the lack of integrated and systematic approach to training programs. It is therefore, concluded that there is an urgent need to develop systematic training practices approach