Methodology and analysis of competency-based training needs assessment for local governments

The Institute of Baltic Studies is conducting a study commissioned by the State Shared Service Centre, in cooperation with LevelLab and Geomedia, aimed at analysing the training needs assessment of local government officials and employees, which will include proposals to address the challenges in the field of human resources development in local governments in the next 5–10 years.

The objectives of the study are:

• Completion and further development of the training needs analysis methodology developed in 2015;
• Preparation and/or updating of competency models (competency lists) in all areas of core activities of the local government. The following areas of core activities of local governments will be mapped: education and youth work, social work, culture, public utilities, (spatial) planning and general competencies for local government management;
• Assessment of the need for competency-based training of local government managers and civil servants;
• Forecasting the need for competence-based training of local governments’ civil servants for the period 2023-2030, including the establishment of a methodology for forecasting training needs;
• Providing recommendations and proposals for setting the vision and long-term strategic objectives for the design of the staff development and training system of local authorities, for better implementation of the system of regular training needs assessment and forecasting; on the appropriateness and necessity of implementing other elements of competency-based management in staff development and training planning as well as in workforce planning, recruitment, evaluation, performance management, etc.

The study will use the following data collection methods: desk review, interviews, focus group interviews, survey, and expert panel.