FACTORS AFFECTING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF TRAINING AND RETRAINING VIETNAMESE CIVIL SERVANTS

Abstract

Training is frequently cited as the primary policy strategy to increase the caliber of the civil service contingent in each nation's civil service activities. Despite several variances in the content and methods of educating and retraining civil servants, all countries strive to develop a team of civil servants with strong working abilities to meet the demands of serving the state and the people best. The reality demonstrates that the training and retraining of civil servants are not always as efficient as intended, as it is influenced by numerous elements to which agencies and the state must give attention while implementing such tasks. In this paper, the author examines two factors that directly affect civil servants' training and retraining: state agency training and retraining policies; and civil servants' awareness of and attitudes about training and retraining activities. Based on the theoretical framework that was developed, the author conducted a direct survey of 300 leaders of local government agencies at the commune level in five provinces that represent three regions of Vietnam: Tuyen Quang, Ha Giang (Northern provinces), Nghe An (Central province), Dong Thap, and Long An (Southern provinces). According to research findings, local leaders underestimate the knowledge and skills that civil servants acquire through self-training, retraining, updating, and supplementation. It demonstrates that they do not have a strong understanding of or attitude toward training and retraining operations. From the research findings, the author offers some recommendations for local authorities to consider while researching and modifying training and retraining policies appropriately to improve the quality of civil servants and provide better services to the general public.