THE IMPACT OF EMPLOYEE TRAINING ON EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE IN MUKONO DISTRICT LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Abstract

Employee performance management has become a foundation of organizational effectiveness, shaping service delivery and development outcomes across sectors. Its historical evolution highlights both global influences and unique local adaptations that continue to inform present-day practices (Cooke et al., 2020). This study examined the effect of employee training on employee performance in Mukono District Local Government (MDLG). It focused on the effects of training-needs identification, training methods, and training evaluation on employee performance. A cross-sectional survey (mixed quantitative and qualitative methods) was conducted with 92 employees and 10 key informants. Data were collected via questionnaires and interviews. The findings indicated significant positive effects of training-needs identification (β=0.332, p<0.001), training methods (β=0.248, p<0.001), and training evaluation (β=0.317, p<0.001) on employee performance. Key factors enhancing performance included clear communication of training needs, practical and engaging training methods, and constructive post-training feedback. Recommendations were revised to match these findings, such as improving needs-identification processes through performance appraisals and feedback sessions, adopting diverse effective training methods (e.g. workshops, on-the-job training, e-learning), and establishing transparent evaluation mechanisms (post-training assessments and feedback) to ensure alignment of training with organizational goals.