By Glenn Lumiti

For an organization to thrive and remain competitive, it’s essential to invest in staff development. Staff development refers to the ongoing process of training and upskilling employees to enhance their skills, knowledge, and abilities. Investing in staff development has numerous benefits, including increased productivity, employee retention, and better customer satisfaction.

One of the key benefits of staff development is improved productivity. When employees have access to training and development opportunities, they are more likely to feel valued and engaged in their work. This, in turn, leads to increased motivation and productivity, which benefits both the employee and the organization.

There are many ways in which organizations can invest in staff development. One effective approach is to offer regular training sessions, workshops, and seminars. This can include both technical training, such as learning new software or hardware, and soft skills training, such as communication and leadership skills. KSG Mombasa Campus has recognized this and has continued to prioritize the growth of its employees by providing them with adequate opportunities to upgrade their skills through various training programs.

Over the months of March and April, Mombasa Campus facilitated 13 staff members to attend a range of courses. The short courses attended include Public Relations & Customer Care Course, Supervisory Skills Course, Management Skills Course, Communication Skills for Public Service Officers Program, Managing Donor Funded Projects Program and Retirement Planning Program as well as Sensitization Program for Hospitality Staff. These programs are designed to enhance the skills of employees and provide them with the right tools they need to excel in their respective roles.

The Public Relations & Customer Care Course was particularly important for staff because they interact directly and continuously with customers. It provided them with the necessary knowledge and skills to handle customer inquiries, complaints, and feedback. With improved customer service skills, the Campus can better serve its clients and build strong relationships.

The Supervisory Skills Development Course that is offered by the Kenya School of Government aims at developing the leadership skills of supervisors. Through the program, participants learn how to effectively manage teams, delegate responsibilities, and motivate employees, among other critical lessons offered over the two weeks. By improving their supervisory skills, these staff members are better equipped to handle the day-to-day operations of the Campus.

On the other hand, the Management Skills Course targets managers who oversee different departments. The course provided the two members of staff who attended the month-long program with the skills to effectively plan, organize, and execute tasks within their departments. This training will enable the officers to identify opportunities for growth and development and effectively implement strategies to achieve their goals. The month-long course also featured staff from KSG Lower Kabete Campus.

Lastly, the Retirement Planning Program provides attendees with crucial information on planning for their retirement. This program focuses on the importance of financial and social planning, including setting goals, saving, investing, managing debt, and building sustainable relationships with members of the family and the community. The course which aims to ensure that staff members can plan for their future, both financially and otherwise was attended by one member of staff of the Campus in the month of April.

The Campus also hosted a two-day sensitization forum for Hospitality Department employees. Attendees at the sensitization forum gained insights on a variety of issues geared at enhancing performance in their particular roles. It covered topics such as an overview of KSG and how employees’ work contributes to the institution’s goals, code of conduct, dress code, stress management, HIV/AIDS, and drug usage at work. Furthermore, the team was educated on mental health issues.

KSG continues to invest in staff professional development. By providing training opportunities for the staff, the School is investing in its own future success. Therefore, by enhancing their skills, the Campus can better serve its clients, improve operations, and ultimately achieve its organizational goals. As such, investing in staff development is not just an expense, but an investment in the organization’s future success.