Training Needs Analysis

Training needs analysis (TNA) is the foundation of good practice in all training activity.

In it we try to define the performance gap - the difference between what workers are able to achieve now and what is required for them to deal with changing circumstances and their career development.

TNA is often a routine part of appraisal and supervision but can be carried out across a whole segment of the workforce.

The National Treatment Agency  carried out a national training needs analysis in England, published in 2003. The results can be viewed on its workforce publications page.

Not all problems can be resolved through training. Worker performance may be unsatisfactory because of poor equipment, policy or for a whole range of other reasons. Good TNA is necessary to clarify what exactly is a training need and what may require another kind of intervention.