Evaluating training for new government officials: a case study using the success case method

This study evaluates the training program for newly appointed government officials in Korea and presents the effectiveness of the success case method (SCM) technique for such an evaluation. The training program chosen as the case study is administered by the training institute for public officials of Korea. The SCM technique was used to evaluate this program and to draw implications that could be applied to the design of future training programs. A survey was conducted targeting 321 trainees who completed the program for newly appointed government officials, and 12 trainees were selected who showed a high level of training transfer measures for the qualitative examination. Through the analysis of semistructured interviews, the study deduced the factors that influenced effective training transfer. The results illustrate that the factors that lead to successful application of the training are 15 success factors categorized in the trainee’s individual characteristics, the training design, and the trainee’s work environment. This study provides implications that can be useful in the workplace, including the application of the SCM in evaluating training programs in the public sector, and the factors that should be considered for effective training transfer among newly appointed public officials.