Effect of in-service training on employees’ performance in ministry of works, Plateau State

Abstract

In-service training is a vital strategy for enhancing employee performance in public sector organizations, particularly in infrastructure-driven institutions like the Ministry of Works, Plateau State, Nigeria. This study examined the effect of in-service training on employee performance, focusing on three dimensions as seen in training methods, training quality, and training evaluation and feedback. Employee performance was measured through task completion rate, quality of work output, and goal achievement. A cross-sectional survey design was employed, with data collected from 82 staff members of the Ministry of Works in Jos using a structured questionnaire and a census sampling technique. Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) was used to analyse the data, revealing that training methods (β = 0.164, p = 0.011), training quality (β = 0.223, p = 0.006), and training evaluation and feedback (β = 0.257, p < 0.001) significantly affect employee performance, collectively explaining 68% of its variance (R² = 0.680). This study concluded that a well-resourced, training system with effective methods and evaluation mechanisms is vital for improving employee efficiency, work quality, and goal attainment, despite challenges like limited budgets and inconsistent training schedules. This study therefore recommended adopting diverse training methods, enhancing training quality through relevant content and skilled trainers, and implementing robust evaluation and feedback systems to boost employee performance in the Ministry of Works, Plateau State.