Towards a job competency profile for agricultural extension instructors: A survey of views of experts

Abstract

A project is carried out for instructors in the agricultural extension service in Esfahan. Part of the project is study, conducted to inform the process of competency profile development for the instructors. The study, reported in this contribution, focuses on views of experts about competencies needed by the instructors. The survey is based on the methodology for developing models of HRD, in which 257 key experts participated. A mix of methods was used for collecting data. The most important competencies found in this study are subject matter and business understanding, and presentation skill. The most essential outputs are presentation of instructional materials, feedback to learners and equipping learners with new competencies after the course. In this contribution, competencies and outputs are elaborated. Further research is needed regarding performance improvement as a result of the efforts of the instructors, and the views of other stakeholders on the development of the agri-clusters.

Key words:

• Competence
• job profile
• extension professional
• Agri-food sector

Acknowledgement

The research reported in this contribution is part of the PhD project of Mostafa Karbasioun at the Department of Education and Competence Studies at Wageningen University, the Netherlands, and is financially supported by the Ministry of Science, Research, and Technology (MSRT) in Iran. The authors want to express their gratitude for this support.