TRAINING EFFECTIVENESS and THE USE OF GROUP IN TRAINING: AN EXPLORATIVE STUDY TO INVESTIGATE THIS BOND

The social-productive background is changing (Hatch, 1997; Bauman, 2002) and training and training evaluation are changing as well; they have to deal with even more complex issues and consequently there was a significant evolution in training approach during last few decades. This study arises from an interest to investigate the bond between training effectiveness (Tannenbaum & Yukl; Alvarez et al. 2004) and the use of the training group, proposed with a specific approach (Kaneklin, 1993). Differently from classic literature about training effectiveness, we have adopted this construct to explore a training-path conducted with a psychosociological approach, based on 1) Participative learning (Levy, 2005); 2) Learning focusing on problems and sharing experiences, doing research together on specific objects to support a developing professional identity (Kaneklin & Olivetti Manoukian, 1990; Bion, 1975). This paper presents a training research program planned by Catholic University (Milan) to approach and support the coaches’ professional identity. Coaches were involved in a year-long educational program. The formative aims were about reflecting together about coaches’ role, experience, efforts and, capabilities. The training group (staedy groups; plenary moments; sub-groups) was the priviledge educational tool; it was integrated with individual/groups activities (e.g. role-playing; theoretical lessons). The study aims to explore if and how the training group evolves and how it can support the generation of training outcomes. A qualitative method was used. The content analysis was conducted on specific training moments (five educational sessions; transcription of 14 hours of training), both on the group dimension and in the trainer function and intervention. The content analysis was conducted with the support of the software ATLAS.ti. The data analysis allowed elaboration of useful indicators (both for group and trainer) to understand the evolution process of the training groups. This study provides an interesting contribution to the understanding of training effectiveness in this training approach and causes new interesting research questions to arise.