Abstract
This research project is concerned with identifying the way (attitude) a particular group of workers within "South Eastern Gas" approach their work, the overall research emphasis being placed on studying the effect of training, or lack of it, on work from an individual worker's viewpoint. The need to investigate this area of research was identified by me from observations made during my employment within SEGAS, particularly in my role as a Training and Education Officer for the past seven years. During this period, workers have expressed opinions inferring that they are often trained to do something they already know, or do not want to know, or that they are not trained in what they feel they want to know. A great deal of time, money and other resources are invested in training, so it is of utmost concern that the training is meeting the needs of the individual within the organisation. This project aims to identify the extent to which training needs are met, and to provide an insight into the effectiveness and value of training provided. The focal point of the project is the way the work is approached by some of the employees, which has been termed their "attitude", ie the attitude people display at work affected by the way they are trained. People, objects and situations all have some part to play in forming an attitude. The research has the dual purpose of looking at training in terms of its effect on people and the extent to which training satisfies the needs of individuals; and to identify factors within the work environment which have causal relationships to a person's attitude to work. While this project is based on the findings of research within "South Eastern Gas" the implications arising from it are not, I suggest, in any way peculiar to the Gas Industry. I feel it important therefore to initially discuss the present economic climate, and the advances being made in technology, with particular reference to their effects on industry and its employees.