Training and employee performance in the hospitality industry in Uganda :

Abstract

Training is important in equipping employees with work-related skills and building their competencies for improved performance. The purpose of the study was to determine the effect of training on employee performance. To achieve this, the study was guided by the following objectives: To examine the effect of training needs assessment on employee performance; To examine the effect of training methods on employee performance; To examine the effect of training content on employee performance. The study anchors on the human capital theory. This study used cross-sectional research design to assess the effectiveness of training on employee performance. The target population is 75 permanent employees working at Mbale Resort Hotel. A sample of 63 respondents was randomly selected from the target population. This study collected primary data using close-ended questionnaires which was analyzed using mean, standard deviation, percentages and frequencies. Analyzed data was presented in the form of tables. The collected data was coded into Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 20.0 for analysis and presentation. The study found out that coefficient of correlation R was 0.01, an indication of strong correlation with the variables. The study concludes that training needs assessment significantly influenced employee performance; this was associated to the fact that the company had regular skills-set evaluation that brought out areas of deficiency that employees were to be trained on. Training methods significantly influenced employee performance since well qualified experts in different fields are engaged to conduct the training. Training content significantly influenced employee performance because the individuals engaged to offer training to staff are well versed with what they train. The study recommends that there ought to be regular skills set evaluation in the company, regular evaluation of skills ought to bring out areas of deficiency that employees are to be trained on and training for staff ought to be tailored to tasks performed by each staff. Well qualified experts in different fields ought to be engaged in conducting job training. Mbale Resort Hotel ought to have off the job training. Trainings ought to be kept in line with organizational policies and procedures. The training contents ought to allow provision of feedback for greater learning impact.