Professional Development in the Civil Service −From American and Hungarian Perspectives

Abstract

Professional development in the civil service represents traditionally different approaches in the U.S.A. and Hungary; however modernization tendencies have marked tendencies that bring about the need for change of paradigms in the Hungarian practice. The current study aims at presenting the findings of a complex research project carried out in the U.S. in 2012 with the intention of the author to analyse the training practices efficiently pursued in the American civil service in order to set up benchmarks for best practices for adaptation. The American training philosophy and the practical solutions are analysed in the context of strategies and specific objectives that determine the applicable training methods on the one hand and justify the new practice-oriented approaches addressing the new needs in the Hungarian civil service on the other. Quantitative and qualitative research methods were applied for data analysis. The synthesis of research findings is provided with a special focus on practical applications in a highly encouraging learning environment that ultimately result in improved workplace performance.