What motivates low-qualified employees to participate in training and development? A mixed-method study on their learning intentions

Abstract

The current research starts from the observation that low-qualified employees hold a vulnerable position on the labour market. It has been argued that learning and development can decrease this vulnerability; unfortunately research has shown that low-qualified employees participate considerably less in learning activities in comparison with high-qualified employees. According to the Theory of Reasoned Action, intention steers the actual behaviour of individuals. Therefore, this research will investigate which factors contribute to the learning intention of low-qualified employees. A cross-sectional mixed-method study was executed. In total 652 low-qualified employees completed a survey and 15 semi-structured interviews were conducted. The results show that prior participation in learning activities, self-directedness, undertaking time management activities and perceived organisational support are positively related to an employee's learning intention. Furthermore, it is important that the content of the training offered is perceived useful and closely related to the job low-qualified employees execute.

Keywords:

• learning intention
• low-qualified employees
• theory of reasoned action