Humanitarian Training Needs

Survey Results

January 2014

About DisasterReady.org

2

Sponsor

The Cornerstone OnDemand

Foundation

Goal

Increase the preparedness &

effectiveness of humanitarians by

providing accessible, high-quality

training

Portal

A free, easy-to-use online learning

platform focused on disaster

preparedness & response

Contact

info@DisasterReady.org

Table of Contents

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About DisasterReady.org

Executive Summary

Methodology

Findings

Profile of Respondents

Preferences

o Training

o Hardware & Software

Priority Training Topics

Priority Subject Areas

Conclusion

Executive Summary

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This report details the findings of an online training needs survey conducted by

DisasterReady.org between November 2013 and January 2014. The objective of the

survey was to help DisasterReady.org and other training providers to better understand

and address the specific online training needs and preferences of aid workers.

Key Findings:o The most requested topics for additional training include project management,

disaster risk reduction, monitoring & evaluation, strategic planning & visioning, and

leadership.

o The most popular subject areas for additional training pertain to disaster

preparedness & resilience and situations involving conflict (alone, or in combination

with natural hazards).

oOnline coursework is the preferred form of training (narrowly eclipsing face to face,

classroom-based coursework).

oMost respondents can commit to at least 1 hour of time to complete online learning in

one sitting.

o The large majority of aid workers are not yet using smartphones or tablets to access

online training.

Through this survey report, DisasterReady.org hopes to assist organizations concerned

with humanitarian training to more accurately target new content development efforts

and to better tailor accessibility options. For more information or to discuss the results

of this survey, please contact: info@DisasterReady.org.

Methodology

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The survey was conducted online via SurveyMonkey between November 2013

and January 2014. DisasterReady.org promoted the survey through its website,

in its monthly newsletters, on relevant LinkedIn groups, and through its partner

agencies.

The survey questionnaire was developed with both training needs (broadly

defined) and training preferences (with an emphasis on accessibility to online

training resources) in mind. DisasterReady.org gratefully acknowledges the

assistance of UNHCR and the DisasterReady.org Content Working Group in

the design of the survey.

A total of 191 people responded to the survey. Due to resource limitations, the

survey was conducted solely in English. Not surprisingly, the far majority of

respondents identified English as their preferred language. Additional survey

work will be required to gain a clearer picture of the specific training needs and

preferences of non-English-speaking aid workers.

Key Findings

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Profile of Respondents

Preferences

o Training

o Hardware & Software

Priority Training Topics

Priority Subject Areas

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Profile of Respondents

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Profile of Respondents, cont.

Profile of Respondents, cont.

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Profile of Respondents, cont.

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Preferences - Training

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Preferences - Training

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Preferences - Hardware & Software

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Note: not percentages, but number of responses out of a total of 154

Priority Training Topics - Top 10

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Note: not percentages, but number of responses out of a total of 152

Priority Subject Areas

Conclusion

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While the results of this survey speak to the specific training needs and

preferences of only a small percentage of aid workers, they provide a useful

snapshot of the training topics, subject areas, and means of access that are

most in demand.

Beyond the survey’s ranking of specific training topics, one of its most valuable

findings relates to how aid workers prefer to access training. When asked to

rank training formats that work best for the respondent’s availability and

learning style, online courses (while connected to the internet) emerged as the

most preferred form of training. Granted, a survey conducted online (as this one

was) is likely to capture the input of a generally internet-friendly group of

respondents. Nevertheless, this preference for online training represents an

important development in the humanitarian sector that should serve to guide

decision-making about the design and delivery of training resources.

Contact Us

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As a free training resource that seeks to improve the preparedness and

effectively of aid workers around the globe, DisasterReady.org would welcome

your thoughts on how we can best develop and make available eLearning

resources that meet the specific needs of humanitarians.

If you would like to request a copy of the survey questions and a complete

listing of all responses received to the question of training topics most in

demand, please let us know.

Email: info@DisasterReady.org

Learn Now: www.DisasterReady.org

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