Factors Affecting the Usage of Information and Communications Technology for Inhouse Training Programmes of Sri Lankan Industrial Sector

Abstract

The objective of this research is to identify the factors affecting the Information and Communications Technology usage for industrial sector in-house training. Both literature and selfidentified factors are defined and analysed using responses from the training centre managers, its trainers, and trainees. This study found that five primary factors affect the ICT usage for industrial in-house training in Sri Lanka namely lack of funding, special ICT infrastructure requirement, lack of ICT skills in maintenance staff, high trainee population and lack of ICT equipment awareness among trainees. Moreover, lack of ICT strategy, lack of ICT policies and lack of ICT equipment awareness among trainers are also identified factors but they are making only minor impact on ICT usage in industrial in-house training in Sri Lanka. Further it was found that the improvement of trainees’ knowledge and skills on industrial operations depends on organisations’ capability on procuring and maintaining modern ICT facilities, releasing staff for training and trainers’ knowledge on ICT usage. Trainees’ knowledge on specific ICT equipment usage does not affect their learning process since majority of the trainees are represented by younger generation where they possess the ability of handling ICT facilities without organised training