CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1
BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
There are many definition of in service training but I will highlight on just a
few in order to see ways of improving its functionalities for a modern
secretary.
Otto and Sender (1964) stated that in service training is a continued education
of person while they are in service.
Hass (1964) stated that in service training include all activities engaged by
professional personnel during service and designed to contribute to professional
improvement.
Dillon Peterson (1981) defines in service training and professional growth for
individuals within a respectful, supportive, positive organizational climate
having as its ultimate aim to better learning. Having seen the definitions of
in service training, let us consider the strategies f improving its
functionalities.
The aim of in service training for the secretaries being to help them overcome
many challenges posed to them by the modern technologies such as computers, fax
machines, word processors etc. to now improve the functionalities of this
training for secretaries it becomes imperative to train them in the use of
these equipment to enhance their productivity and efficiency
To also improve on the
functionalities of in service training for secretaries in a modern business
organization, such must be well articulated and well designed toward personal
and organizational goals.
According to Wyn Reilay (1979) he said that there are two schools of thought as
to the extent the design and running of their services. We are more
interested in the second school of thought which agrees that trainees should
participate in determining what should constitute an in service training for
them. For it helps to develop a sense of responsibilities.
Granting study leave instead of on the job training will improve the
functionalities of in service training of secretaries in no small measures, in
that they will have enough time to consulate on the training and also remove
stress which will not help in the training.
Attachment of incentives like promotion, monetary reward etc, can as well
enhance the functionalities of in service training of secretaries. The type of
personnel assigned to conduct the training will equally in no small measure
improve the functionalities of this training, seeing that in service training
si a two way course that really involves a trainee and a tutor. How the tutor
handles the course will go a long way to arouse the interest and dedication of
the trainees. Using qualified personnel will in turn bring in new motivation,
fresh insights, whose teaching techniques is based on many years if experience
will impact and improve the functionalities of in service training of
secretaries in a modern business organization in Enugu sate.
1.2
STATEMENT OF PROBLEM
The inability of employers to send their staffs for in service training posses
a lot of problem and pulls down efficiency and productivity.
Most modern business organizations in
Enugu state lack qualified secretaries. They employ secondary school leavers as
secretaries, when they don’t even know who a secretary is not to talk of what
her duties are. There in experience and lack of training posses a great problem
as to what assets of training to give them.
The establishment of staff development and distant education for staff training
is one thing but lack of facilities, non-chalant attitude of employers and lack
of funds are militating against the upliftment of such projects like in service
training of secretaries.
Some of these employers lack adequate knowledge as to how in service training
can really improve their workers and in turn bring about greater productivity
and efficiency
Selfishness and greediness is another problem facing the improvement of the
functionalities of in service training of secretaries in modern business
organizations in Enugu state in that over use these secretaries and at the same
time pay them very little amount of money as salary, which makes it difficult
for such secretaries to go for in service training and when the attempt to
attend one is usually not a very qualitative one and the result is usually
learning little of nothing at all.
These days, people are mainly interested in the acquiring of certificates and
not really on skill acquisition of learning what they are supposed to learn. In
this situation, such secretaries will inevitably receive what they have asked
for which is inadequate training.
Considering the above background, the study therefore, awareness should be
created in the need for improved functionality of in service training of
secretaries in modern business organizations in Enugu state, to be able to
promote efficiency and increase productivity.
1.3 PURPOSE OF THE STUDY
This study is specially designed to
examine the strategies for improving the functionalities of in-service training
of secretaries in modern business. Specifically the focus will be to:
i.
Identify
training programme available to secretaries in modern business organization
ii.
Assess the impact of staff training
programmes on secretary effectiveness.
iii.
Determine the need for improving the
functionalities of in service training of secretaries in modern business
organizations in Enugu state
iv.
Assess the effects of training programme
on secretary preparation for higher responsibilities.
1.4 RESEARCH QUESTIONs
The following questions were raised
to guide the study:
i.
What
are the training programmes available to secretaries in modern business
organizations?
ii.
What
is the impact of staff training programmes on secretary effectiveness?
iii.
What are the effect of improved functionalities of in service
training of secretaries in modern business organization in Enugu state?
1.5
SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
This study is significant for the following reasons
1.
It will go a long way in helping to create the necessary awareness required of
employers in achieving an improved in service training of their secretaries,
for an improved functionalities of these secretaries. Thee by making them more
productive and deficient in their jobs to the benefit of the employers and to
their joy and satisfaction.
2.
It will help build the desire for self development as the secretaries are
provided with the opportunity of self evaluation, which will in-turn move them
to strive for greater competence in their job to the benefits of the employers.
3.
This study will serve as a guide and also as a motivational tool for both the
secretaries and the employers of labor in modern business organization in Enugu
state.
4.
This will help the Nigerian labor congress to put-up a common front and fight
against mediocrity in the employment and training (in service) of
the secretaries in modern business organizations in Enugu state, thereby
creating job opportunities for qualified secretaries and creating good ground
for qualitative and improved in service training of same.
5.
The study is significant in that it will help our policy makers take into
account the strategies of improving the functionalities of in service training
of secretaries in modern business organizations ion the state, thereby
formulating development plans to favor them. The policy makers can even go to
the point of making a uniform and standard rule on how the in service training
of secretaries in modern business organizations in the state should be carried
out. This in turn will put the secretaries in the lime-light and also make for
their better utilization
6.
It will take away redundancy and make the secretaries feel fulfilled.