COMPETENCY DEVELOPMENT OF TRAINERS THROUGH PROFESSIONAL PARTNERSHIP : AN ACTION RESEARCH STUDY FOR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Abstract

This paper discussed an action research study on the use of professional partnership model by eight trainers of National Institute of Public Administration (NIPA) - Indonesia. This paper aimed at exploring the impact of professional partnership on the relationship and professional development of the trainers. The method used in the study was qualitative action research. Two action research cycles were trialed over three-month period in 2017 to uncover the impact of professional development skills through professional partnership on the professional practice and working relationship of trainers. These eight trainers formed four partnerships and were involved in four workshops. In the workshops they learned and practiced a number of professional development skills. The principles of reciprocity and reflexivity underpinned this study. The data were collected from interview and observation, as well as examination of written records of the workshop. A grounded theory analysis of data identified four categories of main findings of this action research. These were: the effects of professional development skills taught and practiced during the workshops, classroom observation and the professional development of the trainers, trainers’ relationship and professional partnership, and issues in the development of professional partnership of the trainers. The paper concluded that the use of professional partnership model enhanced not only the personal and professional development of the of trainers in NIPA but also their social development.