The ideal training system for directors and instructors of social education was investigated by analyzing the process of revising the training system for such people, which was conducted by Shimane Prefectural Life-Long Learning Promotion Center in fiscal 2008.
First, the original training system of Shimane Prefecture was structured and the training needs of city employees were examined. A new training system was constructed by referring to other organizations, through exchanging ideas and by coordinating with concerned agencies (Table 2). Further analysis and revisions were conducted to make the system more realistic and fitting to current trends in social education. The revised training system was finalized (Table 4) and implemented as a three-year training plan.
New items for further investigation were proposed on the basis of the above process, as well as on the operational results of the plan. These included questions such as: Is the system suitable for the conditions and needs of local communities? Is the training useful? Is the recognition of training needs increasing? It is suggested that in the future, in addition to the above factors, the consciousness and condition of trainees, such as motivation for the training and hindrances to participation in training, should also be considered.