Training Needs Assessment Tool

The Training Needs Assessment Tool (T-NAT) is precisely what the name implies - a vehicle for analysing and documenting an individual's training requirements as compared to his or her present knowledge or skill level for performing a specific job. The goal of the analysis is to identify an individual's training needs and develop an action plan for satisfying those needs. The T-NAT provides an easily understood format that allows managers and employees to compare their perceptions and develop a priority list of needed training activities.

T-NAT is versatile, it can be used for:

• On-the-job training by supervisors
• New employee orientation
• Career development or outplacement counseling
• Follow-up to performance appraisals
• Part of a larger training needs assessment programme.

How the T-NAT is Constructed

Based on extensive consulting experience, the authors concluded that most on-the-job training was poorly organised and inconsistently administered. The T-NAT was organised in a step-by-step format so that the identification of training needs and training activities could be completed more accurately and quickly. T-NAT automatically structures the training relationship between bosses and employees in a way that contributes to a satisfying working relationship.

Training Needs Assessment Tool is divided into five distinct sections:

The sequencing of these parts provides a logical approach to identifying training needs and training activities.

Part 1 - Skill/Knowledge Listiing

Part 2 - Rating Ability Level and Job Need Level

Part 3 - Identifying Training Needs

Part 4 - Interpreting the T-NAT

Part 5 - Preparing Your Training Action Plan.