Reflecting Rapid Market Appraisal : A Practical Tool for Training Needs Analysis

In my understanding, Rapid Market Appraisal (RMA) is a comprehensive study of an employment status in the specific occupational area at the particular local level. At the cross road of my job career, I came to know that the development of this process grew out of a frustration with lengthy, costly and intensive formal market survey. I argue that this process provides a quick, flexible and effective way of collecting, processing, and analyzing information and data about labour markets. It explores information about the vocational-technical training institutions working effectively in the respective field. It also supplies detailed information like occupational opportunities, training needs, individual needs, and future prospective in the work of world at local level. Based on my practical experiences, I claim it as one of the effective tools for assessing the training needs for training design for the under-developing countries. Abstract Journal of Training and Development 2016, Volume 2 ISSN: 2392-456X(Print) ISSN: 2392-4578(Online) TITI


Introduction
Assessing the real needs of business, industry, or community is one of the most important tasks for any technical training organizations.The trainings are only successful if the needs assessors have managed to identify the real demand on the job market.The training programmes, which focus on the needs of users, will be more successful (International Labor Organization [ILO], 1999).Thus, conducting some form of a needs assessment is usually the first step when designing a training course.The success of the training depends on the success of training needs assessment.Timely revised curriculum according to the demand of the job market attracts both trainees and employers towards vocational training programmes (ILO, 1999).According to Brooke Broadbent and Lise Froidevaux (2008), training needs analysis is a process of DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jtd.v2i0.15438gathering and interpreting data for identifying performance problems and suggesting solutions.

Objective
The objective of this study is to share the practical experiences in conducting training needs analysis and to answer the following questions: • How does the training institution conduct the training needs analysis?• What are the problems the training needs analyst encounters while conducting the training needs analysis?

Methodology
This article is primarily based on the practical experiences and knowledge I gained throughout my professional career.However, to verify with my practical experiences with the literatures, some literatures and theoretical perspectives have been reviewed and linked.More importantly, as a TVET practitioner, I have also reflected my own practical experiences, challenges and lessons learnt while conducting rapid market appraisal in writing this article.

Where do I get information from?
Much of such data derives from the target population of the study area.However, there are other reliable sources of data that should not be overlooked.The data collector should make sure to interview some of the data sources on the lists below.In this connection, I want to borrow the definition of data sources mentioned in TITI Skill Card, 2005: "Determine Needs Assessment Purpose" which is also valid for RMA that states-"Persons including those in the target population, who may have valuable opinions, facts, or feelings regarding the study, or who may influence any outcome of the study".

Firsthand information
With my experiences, in business and industry setting, the target population may be employers, employees, district chambers of commerce, employers' associations, employees' associations, professional associations, etc (Sharma, 2005, pp. 1-13).Access to job in accordance with knowledge and skills will be facilitated through creation and expansion of information centres, and analysis of the enlisted human resources will be carried out to strengthen effective employment exchange system (National Planning Commission, 2010, pp.65-66).

Clients -Employers
Employers are probably the most accurate sources of information in determining the needs or demand of business and industry (Finch & Crunkilton, 1993).
Since RMA is a kind of employer survey, I remember Robert Chambers's famous view "Farmer First" and here, "Client First" considers employers as the major source of information for the study.
During the survey, I allow potential employers to tell me the following information about their workers.I use semi-structured interview guide to obtain these information.
• Existing numbers of workers working at present

What other documents do I need to review the before planning the RMA?
Apart from the reports and documents related to the requirement of skilled human resources at local level, I also review the following sources for planning my RMA study.

Occupational Dictionaries
Occupational dictionaries are a good source for identifying the tentative list of duties for an occupation.They help in determining the outlook of the occupation and identifying possible job titles.Some of the more common occupational dictionaries I use when I conduct RMA are:

Internet Resources
The internet has made it possible to access a vast amount of information in an amazingly short period of time.Identifying the right sites on the internet may not be as easy as it looks.Recent job analyses from the occupation(s) under study are a great help in providing a clearer picture of that occupation.
There are various sites on the internet where we can find job analyses or profiles.One of the good sites is: O*NET.

What tools do I need to use for data collection?
Since RMA is a small scale study, I always go for using simple and easy tools for collecting quantitative as well as qualitative market information.I therefore use the following tools in collecting data in RMA process.
Semi-structured interview guide to collect market data RMA interview does not use a formal questionnaire for information but use a checklist of questions as a flexible guide.RMA interview guide should be carefully designed to identify problems, causes, and solutions.In my experience, the semi-structured interview allows the data collector to ask follow-up questions to probe more deeply into problems, causes and solutions.

Direct Observation for context analysis
Observation involves watching carefully that takes place and making brief notes in the RMA process.Direct observation is a good way to cross-check respondents' answers.With an RMA observation form, I advise the RMA assessor to examine general items to be observed as: work environment, tools and equipment used, communication process in the workplace, workers' traits, process of performing the skills, manual and so on.

Focus Group Discussion for verification and collection of qualitative data
Another important tool I use for collecting data in rapid market appraisal is from focus group discussion.
It is useful for exploring ideas and obtaining in-depth information about how people think about an issue.I normally conduct focus group discussion to obtain qualitative data such as opinions, experiences, views, feelings and ideas from a small targeted group of people.

How do I plan RMA?
I recently read a quotation by Einstein who said that if a man was given 60 minutes to solve a problem, he would spend 55 minutes making clear about the problem, and five minutes in solving the problem ((TITI Skill Card, 2005: Determine Needs Assessment Purpose).Thus, firstly is it necessary to be clear about what is to be accomplished.Before conducting RMA study, it is essential to prepare a plan which answers the following questions: • What do we need to do?
• What do we expect to achieve?
• Where do we collect information from?
• Whom do we need to meet?
• When do we need to complete your study?
However, I suggest the RMA assessors to follow the following procedures:

i. Define the problem:
Here, I quote the Chinese proverb "If there is no problem, there is no need to do the things" The problem triggers the need to conduct RMA.Thus, the problem should be defined in specific terms presenting facts of existing situation of the problem with desired situation of the problem in realistic terms in the plan.Normally, I find the following common pitfalls which should be avoided: • The RMA statement should not address more than one problem.• The RMA statement should not assign a cause.
• The RMA statement should not make accusations to any organization.• The RMA statement should not offer a solution.

ii. Identify location
The next procedure I follow in the planning of RMA is to define the location.The location will give the assessors to indicate the size or extensiveness of the study.The market location may be small as the need of one specific occupation or one industry or one community or a town to the needs of entire nation.

iii. Describe the size
After identifying the location of the study, then I go for describing the size of the problem in measurable terms.The size of the problem should illustrate the rationale or important of the problem.It tells how the problem is important to solve.

iv. Define the duration
Duration provides the timeframe of the RMA study.This timeframe should include the time for initial planning, actual field survey, write-up to delivering the final report and making any required presentations.This will give you when should the study be completed?

RMA needs coaching process
In my experiences, the RMA needs a coaching process for the certain period of time.Single inputs during training/workshop may not be sufficient for the effective implementation of RMA process in real settings.Repeated inputs from experienced RMA practitioners or consultants are required in order to make assessors more confident in the process.
Practical training and formal coaching are both essential in the RMA process.

Conclusion
Job markets are constantly evolving and changing, and therefore market appraisal need to be conducted on a fairly regular basis.An RMA provides a quick and an effective way of obtaining relevant information about the job market system for specific occupational sectors whist at the same time, minimizing cost, delays and working time.It allows to quickly measuring the demand and opportunities for a specific occupation in business and industry as well as geographical locations or for new settings.Finally RMA ensures that the new job seekers receive appropriate, marketable, high-quality training for the job.

Local Youths -The job seekers Another
important source of data can be local youths who play a major role in making the training programme successful.Taking the interest and preference of the youth into account can help engage the youth in the training course and increase their labour market information.