Evaluation of the Contribution of Employee Training and Development to ProjectFirms Productivity in Rivers State Nigeria
Abstract
This study evaluates the impact of employee training and development on the productivity of project-based firms in Rivers State, Nigeria. Recognizing the central role human capital plays in project execution, the research investigates how structured training programs influence employee performance and, by extension, organizational productivity. Using a cross-sectional survey design, primary data were collected through questionnaires administered to 400 management and training personnel across eight selected project firms. The study applied the Gap Analysis Model to compare pre- and post-training performance scores, thereby quantifying the contribution of training efforts. The results revealed that all firms experienced performance improvements following training, with mean productivity contributions ranging from 17.95% to 31.3%. INTELS Nigeria Limited recorded the highest gain, while INDORAMA Nigeria Limited showed the lowest. These findings underscore the value of systematic employee development initiatives in enhancing project efficiency and reducing failure risks. The study concludes that while training positively influences productivity, the extent of impact varies with training quality, content, and organizational commitment. It recommends the institutionalization of structured, well-resourced training frameworks tailored to specific project needs to optimize performance outcomes in project-based organizations.
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