What is Competency-Based Inservice Training?

Unless these questions are correctly answered, attending a training event can waste valuable staff time and limited training resources, and without an accurate assessment of individual learning needs, training is more likely to be unrelated to learners' jobs, and at an inappropriate developmental level.

Abstract

When considering whether to attend inservice training, people typically ask two questions: What must I know to do my job? and, What don't I know? Sometimes this assessment is done alone, sometimes with a supervisor, training specialist, or mentor. may be done informally, perhaps a few minutes before selecting a workshop from a conference brochure; or, it may be more rigorous, using a formal training needs assessment instrument. Still, the same two questions are always asked: What knowledge and skills do I need to proficiently perform my job? and which of these do I need further development? Unless these questions are correctly answered, attending a training event can waste valuable staff time and limited training resources. Without an accurate assessment of individual learning needs, training is more likely to be unrelated to learners' jobs, and at an inappropriate developmental level. Frequently heard complaints about training include, It was interesting, but it doesn't apply to my work; It was too basic – I didn't learn anything new; and, I'd have better spent my time in the office. In any case, the training will have done little to increase learners' competence, much less enhance services to children and their families.