Analyzing the Effectiveness of Training Programs of BCS Administration Academy: Prospects and Challenges

Abstract
The specific objective of this study was to analyze the effectiveness and the challenges of the training programs imparted by BCSAA, a leading training institution for the BCS administration cadre officials in Bangladesh. The study is qualitative is nature that used data from both primary and secondary sources. Primary data was obtained by interviewing a total of 75 participants from 113th, 114th and 115th Law and Administration Course (LAC) using semi-structured questionnaire and phone in interview. While secondary data was obtained adopting content analysis technique through reviewing books, journal articles, e-resources, unpublished monographs and newspapers. Analyzing the data from both the sources, the study has found that the training program of LAC has been effective to a certain extent as it has helped its participants to achieve some core qualities relevant to their job performance. The findings of the study also suggest that due to the intervention of this training, trainees have improved their knowhow about land management, conducting mobile courts, magisterial duties, e-filing, e-mutation etc. Furthermore, the training has resulted in significant improvement of their communication skills particularly in English, presentation skills, public speaking and in few other areas of their professional needs. However, the respondents raised few concerns about certain aspects of the training which include absence of proper need assessment for training, heavy reliance on guest speakers, huge syllabus compared to the course duration, absence of e-library facilities in the academy, sessions being mostly lecture based, absence of refreshers training etc. Nonetheless, this study has come up with certain pragmatic recommendations drawing on the narratives from the respondents. BCSAA need to address these issues with utmost priority for making this training further effective.