Staff Development Initiative

STAFF DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE

In the modern world, most members of staff whether in Schools, work

places and other circles are taking advantage of opportunities to
improve their professional skills and increase their effectiveness.

It is an open secret that most members of staff who join their

respective Institutions have lower educational or professional
background and have upgraded either by the sponsorship of their
employers or by their own initiatives.

The most important aspect on this one is DEDICATION to what one

wants to achieve. Without DEDICATION, the sponsors can waste the
resources as well as time. Some schools in Malawi had teachers who
were possessing lower grades of their certificates but with the
introduction of Teachers Development Centers (TDC’s), most of them
have made tremendous improvements in their academic qualifications
as well as professionalism. This also implies to other Institutions within
the Government set up where members of staff have been seen being
equipped with necessary skills at Malawi Institute of Management in
areas of their choice ranging from Middle managers to Chief
Executives.

However, there are some limiting factors to staff development which

the employers should look at them critically. i.e.
• Lack of adequate funding to the areas of staff development
which may cater for only few members.
• Lack of encouragement to those who have upgraded themselves
in terms of remunerations and promotions.
• Change of career is not encouraged regardless of potential in the
members.
• Quick learners are not identified because of the complex system
of appraising members of staff.

In any learning situation, learners undergo some type of CHANGE, and

understanding the nature of change is very important. Therefore,
change by individuals entails growth, both in terms of how they feel
about the change and their skills in applying any innovations.

There might be various reasons for staff development which an

organization can incorporate in its strategy such as
o Personal professional development which is a self-directed
approach based on individual needs and choice.

Prepared by Clemence Elwyn Genesis Jere Malawi Institute of Management 1

 Staff Development Initiative

o Credentials- After successful completion of a program as a

requirement for licensing or certification.
o Induction which is the supplementing of skills and knowledge for
the newly hired.
There are a lot other angles to see on STAFF DEVELOPMENT.

Prepared by Clemence Elwyn Genesis Jere Malawi Institute of Management 2