A Survey Of Information And Communication Technology Skills Appropriateness At The Directorate Of E-government In Kenya

Abstract

The aim of the study was to carry out a survey on the lCT skills appropriateness at the Directorate of e-Government in Kenya. The study was guided by the following research objectives: to investigate current methods of assessment of lCT skills possessed by the personnel at the Directorate of e- Government; to identify the skills-set possessed by the personnel at the Directorate of e- Government; to establish the required lCT Skills-set bye-Government personnel for smooth implementation of e-Government among the public organizations and sectors in Kenya; and to recommend the appropriate evaluation criteria for the appropriate lCT skills for e-Government personnel. The target population included all the lCT technical personnel in the established forty two (42) ministries at the Directorate of e-Government in Kenya as at November 2012. The study adopted a descriptive research design. The primary data was gathered through questionnaires, while secondary.data was obtained from published documents and materials obtained from the Directorate of e-Government. The key results of the study were: the Directorate identified core skills required for a specific role of the government at all times; the assessment methods were regarded as very appropriate as they enabled- the Directorate in identifying the skills possessed and the gaps that needed further training; the lCT skills-sets were effective in equipping the staff with the necessary skills required in different places of work; and that the lCT skills-sets were being adequately utilized by the staff in their current employment. The study concludes that the most used skills assessment method was Supervisor assessment method and that demonstration and self assessment methods were the most important skills assessment methods. The study further concludes that e-service delivery and fundamentals of lCT modules were well understood by the staff and that all the existing modules were relevant and important in enabling service delivery at the Ministry level. The study makes the . following recommendations, that the Directorate: finds ways on getting the appropriate skills assessment methods adopted by other governments in the developed world to benchmark and raise the bar in electronic service delivery at the Government level; trains the lCT staff on the emerging lCT trends to enable them develop new ways of service delivery through 'technology; and plans on how to incorporate the developing of new curricula relevant for the smooth functioning of Government operations. The Directorate of e-Government should evaluate the appropriateness of some of these lCT skills-set courses mentioned by staff on how they fit in the Directorate's role. For example, the respondents mentioned Applications Development.