A needs assessment for a management training programme amongst staff officers and area managers within the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) social work directorate

Abstract

Management is a process requiring both an art and a skill in order to be effective in service rendering. In order for managers to be efficient and effective then in their managerial practices, there is a need for a formal management training programme by the organization. On the basis of this, the researcher has selected her subject of study to stress the importance of the development of a management training programme amongst staff officers and area managers within the SANDF Social Work Directorate. The study was conducted amongst staff officers and area managers within the SANDF Social Work Directorate consisting of men and women whose ages varies between thirty and fifty years. The researcher's motivation for choice of subject emanates from the observed difficulties experienced by some of the staff officers and area managers in the performance of some of the managerial tasks assigned to them such as the drawing of a budget. This resulted in the development of interest by the researcher in determining the need for a management training programme amongst staff officers and area managers within the SANDF Social Work Directorate. Literature review regarding the topic of management, needs assessment, management training and management training programme was done. The researcher consulted various sources to obtain the literature. Management functions and the different managerial approaches were explored. Needs assessment with the main focus on various levels of analysis, management training with specific reference to knowledge, skills and attitude, and the management training programme were looked into. A needs assessment for a management training programme questionnaire was administered amongst staff officers and area managers within the SANDF Social Work Directorate. According to the researcher, the findings indicate a definite need for a management training programme amongst staff officers and area managers within the SANDF Social Work Directorate. Through this management training programme, service rendering within the SANDF Social Work Directorate will definitely be enhanced.