An assessment of the skills development monitoring and evaluation strategies at the selected organisations of SANParks in the northern region.

Abstract

This study seeks to investigate the assessment of the skills development monitoring and evaluation strategies at the selected organisations of Sanparks in the Northern Region and to determine whether organisations are providing their staff with the necessary tools to enhance their skills and that workplaces in general are used as an inherent place for learning. In addition, the study seeks to investigate the influence of demographic factors (length of service at Sanparks, highest level of education attained) on skills development and to determine the strength of a set of variables (level in the organisation, age, length of service at Sanparks, and highest level of education attained) in assessment of the skills development monitoring and evaluation strategy. For this study, a cluster research was used because of its effectiveness in allowing a researcher to understand the intricacies of the research subject being undertaken. A sample of 400 employees was randomly selected from four different national parks in the Northern Region and 351 questionnaires were returned. Using self-administered questionnaires which were physically distributed by the researcher, a survey was conducted, data was analysed statistically through the use of SPSS version 23 where descriptive, and correlation and regression analyses were run. Results indicate that there is a positive relationship that exists between different themes. A positive, significant relationship exists between employees of the four parks, Golden gate, Kruger National park, Mapungubwe, and Marakele (r=30; P< 0.05). No significant relationship exists between the selected demographic factors. The length of time employed as Sanparks did play a role in terms of how respondents viewed monitoring skills being a part of the process. The study was conducted in four national parks in the Northern Region therefore limiting the generalizability of the research results to entire organisations at large. The study adopts a quantitative research design using a close ended questionnaire therefore restricting participants in giving their insights and feelings about the assessment of skills development. From the research findings, it can be concluded that monitoring and evaluation in organisations is very important and cannot be taken for granted. Training is a critical strategy that can be employed to increase employee performance as each and every individual has needs that drive them to behave in a certain way.