Older Dogs and New Tricks: Career Stage and Self-Assessed Need for Training

Abstract

Self-assessed training needs, increasingly used in designing, delivering, and targeting training, can be systematically affected by factors other than actual need. Using a sample of public sector employees, this research investigated the influence of career stage on perceptions of managerial support, training self-efficacy, utility and self-reported training needs. Those in later career stages reported lower training self-efficacy, lower training utility, and less need for management training. Implications for organizations and this growing segment of the work force are discussed.