Skill Inventories and Training Needs of Extension Professionals: A Comparative Study of Government and Non-Government Organizations
Mangalapuri Vasanthi *
Department of Extension Education and Communication Management, College of Community Science, Professor Jayashankar Telangana Agricultural University, Hyderabad,500004, India.
M. Prasuna
KVK Bellampally, Telangana, India.
M. Preethi
Extension Education Institute, Professor Jayashankar Telangana Agricultural University, Hyderabad, 500004, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
A skill inventory is an essential human resource management tool that enables organizations to identify, assess, and utilize the competencies of their workforce effectively. The present study was undertaken to assess the skill inventories of extension professionals working in Government and Non-Government Organisations in Palnadu district of Andhra Pradesh. An ex-post facto research design was adopted for the study. A total sample of 60 respondents, comprising 30 extension professionals from Government organisations and 30 from Non-Government organisations, was selected using a purposive random sampling technique. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire covering conceptual, human, managerial, technical, personal, leadership, and time management skills, measured on a five-point continuum scale. The collected data were analyzed using frequency, percentage, and correlation coefficient.
The findings revealed that the majority of extension professionals in both Government and Non-Government organisations exhibited a high level of conceptual, human, managerial, technical, personal, leadership, and time management skills. Correlation analysis indicated a positive and significant relationship between skill inventories and selected profile characteristics such as age, work experience, annual income, marital status, and family size, while educational qualification and family type showed a non-significant relationship. The study also identified a strong need for capacity-building programmes, exposure visits, and short-duration training in communication, project management, innovation, and information and communication technologies.
The study concludes that systematic assessment of skill inventories can enhance professional effectiveness, organizational performance, and service delivery in extension systems. The findings provide valuable insights for managers and policy makers in designing targeted training and human resource development strategies for extension professionals.
Keywords: Skill inventory, extension professionals, Government Organisations, Non-Government Organisations, human resource development