Exploring Training Needs for Old and New Age Middle Managers

Abstract

In the fast changing scenario, managers in many State Transport Corporations (STUs) are facing many challenges to meet the pace of change. Middle level managers in STUs play a key role as they represent the most critical management cadre of executors, contributing towards organization’s vision and achieving business objectives. In order to meet diverse stakeholder expectations, they must be equipped with updated knowledge and skills through continuous training inputs. In the last three years, professionally qualified and experienced middle managers were recruited externally in all the functions. This article explored current and future training requirements for the two selected groups of middle managers at Gujarat State Road Transport Corporation (GSRTC): internally promoted (old age) and externally recruited (new age). Primary data has been collected through eight in-depth interviews with top management executives and 14 focused group discussions (FGDs) with middle managers to understand their current and future requirements for training and how their training needs are different. After primary analysis, a ranking instrument was designed and administered. Further recommendations were made for effective training for middle level managers.