Training Needs Assessment and Employee Skills Acquisition: Systematic Review of Strategies, Outcomes, and Best Practices

Abstract

The implications of Industry 4.0 for workforce reskilling in Sub-Saharan Africa underscore the urgent need for effective employee skills development. Training Needs Assessment (TNA) plays a critical role in aligning workforce competencies with evolving labour market demands and advancing Sustainable Development Goals related to quality education and decent work. This systematic review examined the relationship between TNA and employees’ skills acquisition in Sub-Saharan Africa. Relevant studies were identified through PubMed, Scopus, African Journals Online (AJOL), Google Scholar, and the World Bank Open Knowledge Repository. Study identification, screening, and selection followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, resulting in 23 studies for analysis. Thematic synthesis, supported by a mixed-methods integration of qualitative and quantitative findings, was employed. Methodological quality was assessed using the CASP checklist and the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Findings indicate that effective TNA strategies emphasise systematic assessment, stakeholder collaboration, and alignment with labour market needs, resulting in improved performance and employability. However, challenges such as resource constraints and resistance to change persist. The review underscores the importance of context-specific TNA frameworks to strengthen workforce development in Sub-Saharan Africa.