Training & Development

SIGNIFICANCE OF DETERMINING ASSESSMENT NEEDS AND TRAINING IN THE SERVICE SECTOR Dr. Farzana Firdousi Emirates Institute for Banking and Financial Studies PO Box 62091 Sharjah, United Arab Emirates E-mail: [e-mail] Abstract Training plays a vital role in the success of organizations in the service sector. Profitability of this b sector can depend to a great extent on the service of its employees. Before any kind of training is delivered they are required to identify the training needs within their organizations in order to succeed and attain the desired outcomes of the training program. This article discusses the importance of determining training needs within the service sector in order to improve the training delivery and achievement of maximum benefit for the return on investment. Different methods of determining and assessing the training needs are also discussed which may be helpful to organizations to assess upgrade their training and development programs Key words: Training needs analysis, service sector. 1. Introduction Even in midst of continued financial crisis and difficult economic environment, organizations do not deny the importance of well trained and qualified employees to meet their objectives and raise profits. The service sector has come to rely on training to develop their professional and technical competencies of their employees in order to increase profitability and promote their reputation by improving service . One of the major reasons why training often fails to contribute to organizational success may be due to the reason that its content is not being targeted to organizational needs and goals. Training is most effective when it addresses the specific training needs of banks and financial organizations. In order to ensure that training has the maximum effect it should be well designed and targeted towards the right employees. Individual training needs are often identified by employees, supervisors and managers and should include