This report details the findings of an online training needs survey conducted by DisasterReady.org between November 2013 and January 2014. The objective of the survey was to help DisasterReady.org and other training providers to better understand and address the specific online training needs and preferences of aid workers.

1. Humanitarian Training Needs
Survey Results
January 2014

2. About DisasterReady.org
Sponsor
The Cornerstone OnDemand
Foundation
Goal
Increase the preparedness &
effectiveness of humanitarians by
providing accessible, high-quality
training
Portal
A free, easy-to-use online learning
platform focused on disaster
preparedness & response
Contact
info@DisasterReady.org
2

3. Table of Contents
About DisasterReady.org
Executive Summary
Methodology
Findings
 Profile of Respondents
 Preferences
o Training
o Hardware & Software
 Priority Training Topics
 Priority Subject Areas
Conclusion
3

4. Executive Summary
This report details the findings of an online training needs survey conducted by
DisasterReady.org between November 2013 and January 2014. The objective of the
survey was to help DisasterReady.org and other training providers to better understand
and address the specific online training needs and preferences of aid workers.
Key Findings:
o The most requested topics for additional training include project management,
disaster risk reduction, monitoring & evaluation, strategic planning & visioning, and
leadership.
o The most popular subject areas for additional training pertain to disaster
preparedness & resilience and situations involving conflict (alone, or in combination
with natural hazards).
o Online coursework is the preferred form of training (narrowly eclipsing face to face,
classroom-based coursework).
o Most respondents can commit to at least 1 hour of time to complete online learning in
one sitting.
o The large majority of aid workers are not yet using smartphones or tablets to access
online training.
Through this survey report, DisasterReady.org hopes to assist organizations concerned
with humanitarian training to more accurately target new content development efforts
and to better tailor accessibility options. For more information or to discuss the results
of this survey, please contact: info@DisasterReady.org.
4

5. Methodology
The survey was conducted online via SurveyMonkey between November 2013
and January 2014. DisasterReady.org promoted the survey through its website,
in its monthly newsletters, on relevant LinkedIn groups, and through its partner
agencies.
The survey questionnaire was developed with both training needs (broadly
defined) and training preferences (with an emphasis on accessibility to online
training resources) in mind. DisasterReady.org gratefully acknowledges the
assistance of UNHCR and the DisasterReady.org Content Working Group in
the design of the survey.
A total of 191 people responded to the survey. Due to resource limitations, the
survey was conducted solely in English. Not surprisingly, the far majority of
respondents identified English as their preferred language. Additional survey
work will be required to gain a clearer picture of the specific training needs and
preferences of non-English-speaking aid workers.
5

6. Key Findings
Profile of Respondents
Preferences
o Training
o Hardware & Software
Priority Training Topics
Priority Subject Areas
6

7. Profile of Respondents
7

8. Profile of Respondents, cont.
8

9. Profile of Respondents, cont.
9

10. Profile of Respondents, cont.
10

11. Preferences - Training
11

12. Preferences - Training
12

13. Preferences - Hardware & Software
13

14. Priority Training Topics - Top 10
Note: not percentages, but number of responses out of a total of 154
14

15. Priority Subject Areas
Note: not percentages, but number of responses out of a total of 152
15

16. Conclusion
While the results of this survey speak to the specific training needs and
preferences of only a small percentage of aid workers, they provide a useful
snapshot of the training topics, subject areas, and means of access that are
most in demand.
Beyond the survey’s ranking of specific training topics, one of its most valuable
findings relates to how aid workers prefer to access training. When asked to
rank training formats that work best for the respondent’s availability and
learning style, online courses (while connected to the internet) emerged as the
most preferred form of training. Granted, a survey conducted online (as this one
was) is likely to capture the input of a generally internet-friendly group of
respondents. Nevertheless, this preference for online training represents an
important development in the humanitarian sector that should serve to guide
decision-making about the design and delivery of training resources.
16

17. Contact Us
As a free training resource that seeks to improve the preparedness and
effectively of aid workers around the globe, DisasterReady.org would welcome
your thoughts on how we can best develop and make available eLearning
resources that meet the specific needs of humanitarians.
If you would like to request a copy of the survey questions and a complete
listing of all responses received to the question of training topics most in
demand, please let us know.
Email: info@DisasterReady.org
Learn Now: www.DisasterReady.org
@CSODFoundation
facebook.com/csodfoundation
youtube.com/user/CSODFoundation
17