Assessing the Impact of Training and Development on Employee Performance and Productivity: A Case Study of Kansanshi Copper Mine in Zambia

The study was aimed to assess how training and growth opportunities influence employees output and efficiency at Kansanshi Copper Mine. It further looked at the key variables such as age group, educational attainment, mentoring, job on training as well as the link between training an growth plans and the challenges faced in training and development at Kansanshi Copper Mine. The study used both qualitative and quantitative design. Primary data was collected using semi structured questions administered to employees. An interview guide was used for Senior management, supervisors, departmental heads and other employees. A total of Seventy two (72) employees were selected to participate and ten (ten) key informants were selected using stratified sampling and purposive sampling method. The study also used observation method with both participants and non participant to enable a better analysis as well as to gain a better understanding on the behaviors, perception and practices. The data collected was coded using a coding scheme, it was later processed and analyzed using a Statistical Package of the Social Sciences (SPSS). Secondary data was collected from journals, books, published and unpublished (online) reports. The study revealed that most of the respondents had reached professional level in terms of educational attainment. The results indicates that the total number of respondents was seventy two with the majority being males at 58% and 42% of them being females. The study tried to understand the underlying factors of training and development. The results suggest that capacity building enhancement are essential to performance and productivity however it continues poses numerous setbacks especially in the mining sector. Effective training and development ensures that investments are successful and profitable through skills enhancement ( John and Douglas 2015). The empirical evidence in this investigation supports the notion that training and development can enhance performance and productivity among employees at Kansanshi Copper Mine. It has the potential of safe guarding the organizations interest despite numerous hurdles affecting this notion among others; lack of adequate resources, absolute policies, resistance to change and bad attitude towards work.