Analysis of the training needs of traffic officers in the Potchefstroom district

Abstract

The title of this study is "Analysis of the training needs of traffic officers in the Potchefstroom district". The purpose of this study was to determine whether there were any training needs at local level. The study was carried out in the Traffic Department of the Potchefstroom district, which forms part of the North West Province of South Africa. The target group was all the traffic officers employed by the Potchefstroom City Council during the time of this study and empirical research. The questions that emanated from the analysis of the problem were posed in Chapter 1.3.1 to 1.3.3. The aims of the study were stated in Chapter 1.4.1 to 1.4.4. The principal method of gathering information for the study was by means of questionnaires as discussed in Chapter 1.6.2 and 4.2 to Chapter 4.6 respectively. The data collected was analysed and discussed in Chapter 5.2 to 5.8.5 respectively. It was found that the entire population of traffic officers (30 persons) stressed the need for training at local level to focus on identified shortcomings. They also acknowledged that this vital aspect of their performance on a daily basis needs to be addressed. As such, it would be a good move to aspire to rectify and upgrade training needs at local level. It was therefore suggested that traffic officers at local level should be exposed to training that will suffice and upgrade their identified needs. Further studies need to be undertaken to determine the extent to which the suggested recommendations are to benefit this traffic department.