From the training ground to the workplace - An evaluation of how effective training interventions are in developing staff in their roles in Revenue

This research explores how effective training interventions are in developing staff in their roles in Revenue. In the recent economic recession government departments such as Revenue suffered staff losses as a result of a moratorium on recruitment and retirements. Despite this setback Revenue as an organisation strategically invested in training and upskilling their existing staff to fill the voids and it continues to do so. An interim assessment of a group of trainees on a particular training programme was carried out using level three of Kirkpatrick's training evaluation framework. This was done in order to ascertain if the training which they had undergone was being used in the workplace and if it had brought any noticeable behavioural changes such as improved work performance. The research was conducted using mainly quantitative methods with some qualitative methods included. In order to ensure a cross sectional perspective, two separate questionnaires were designed and issued electronically for data collection purposes. One questionnaire was targeted at managers' responses and the other at staff who were undergoing the training. The research found that training interventions had been effective in their objectives and that the knowledge gained was being transferred back into the workplace. However the research did also show that not all staff were getting sufficient opportunity to apply what they learnt on a regular basis in their work. The research discovered that work performance levels had increased since the training commenced and that staff confidence in their work and morale had also improved