An analysis of inservice educational needs of Purdue Cooperative Extension agents and program assistants

The purpose of this study was to identify the inservice educational training needs of Purdue Cooperative Extension agents and county program assistants as perceived by the agents, program assistants and administration staff. The study identified 196 competency statements needed by extension agents in Indiana. The population for the study consisted of sub-populations; (1) administrative staff, (2) field staff, both full time Purdue employed agents and county program assistants. A packet, which included the questionnaire, a cover letter from the agents\u27 district director and a general cover letter was distributed to the agents by the five district directors. Administrative staff questionnaires were mailed directly to them. The return response rate was 98%, or 312 questionnaires. The survey instrument, adapted from the McCormick Inventory of Needs of County Extension Agents, used two scales, one for competency level needed and the second for in-service training needed. Descriptive statistic procedures were used to analyze the data accorded to demographic variables: (1) Sub-population, (2) Major Program Area, (3) Age, (4) Tenure, (5) Sex, (6) Degree earned, (7) Extension District. A second part of the questionnaire determined the perception agents held of their positions, the task where the majority of their time was spent, and the task where they desired to spend the majority of their time. The findings indicated that extension agents and county program assistants share the same general feelings as to what competency areas are effective in developing successful extension programs. Also, both groups generally agreed as to the competency areas that need the most in-service training. However, differences for the competency level and in-service training needed scales did exist among the specific program areas