Staff Training and Employee Performance in the Public Sector in Uganda: The Case of Ministry of Finance Planning and Economic Development

Abstract

The study examined the relationship between training approaches on employee performance in the Public Service in Uganda using a case of MoFPED. The study was premised on the following objectives: to find out the relationship between induction and employee performance at MoFPED, to establish the relationship between on the job training and employee performance at MoFPED and to assess the relationship between off the job training and employee performance at MoFPED. The study adopted a descriptive cross sectional survey design where both quantitative and qualitative approaches were used. In this study, a total out of the 60 survey questionnaires were distributed, 51 respondents returned the survey instruments representing a response rate of 85%. The data was collected using questionnaires and interviews and analysis was done using regression analysis and correlation coefficients. Findings revealed that there is a positive significant relationship between induction and employee performance at MoFPED r=0.872(**), secondly, there is a positive significant relationship between on the job training and employee performance at MoFPED r=0.512(**) and lastly there is a positive significant relationship between off the job training and employee performance at MoFPED r=0.322. Like in any other organization, the employees are helped to learn about their duties when they are still new. Employees who undergo proper induction tend to keep their jobs longer than those who do not. It was recommended that: induction sessions should be made more regular to ensure the employees have a clear scope of what is required of them. Based on the results of the study, the researcher recommends introducing more induction programs for employees, which are more suitable to the skills needed at work. The training needs identified should emanate from MoFPED strategic plan, which also cover departmental/sectional/teams and individual plans.