Kompetensutveckling : kompetensutvecklingen för nivå 2-3 officeren efter 45 års ålder

Sammanfattning: This is a study of proficiency development of major/lt colonel officers (level 2-3) within the Swedish armed forces. The study includes officers above the age of 45. The background of this study is a study from January 2000 (written by Björn Osswald). Osswald discovered that proficiency development decreased at the age of 45. Since the profession as an officer today is a lifetime profession, this is a result that the Swedish Armed Forces not can afford. This study has its purpose to find the obstacles for proficiency development from an individual point of view. The following questions will be answered:- what are the limiting factors of proficiency development,- who, according to the individual officer, is responsible of the proficiency development,- is it the will/motivation of the individual or the limitations in the organization that slows or stops the proficiency development,- what types of proficiency development methods are most common and most important according to the individual?The purpose of the study is to find the limitations of proficiency development, experienced by the individual, and thereby try to improve methods for future individual development for officers above 45 years old. Today the officer’s profession is a lifetime profession. It should be in the organizations interest to find the best condition suitable, both for the organization but also for the individual. The approach of this study is primarily hermeneutic scientific view using inductive study method. The study is primarily based on an extensive document and literature research. The empirical data is based on 132 officers, level mentioned above. The response has been 65.9%. The study includes job-rotation, proficiency, proficiency development, methods for proficiency development, responsibility of individual proficiency development and limiting factors. The result shows that the individuals are generally satisfied. Job-rotation is mentioned as the most common and most important method for individual development. The average time in one job is approx not more than 3 years. There are some criticisms of the Armed Forces’ lack of interest in the individual’s proficiency development. It has also shown that lack of time, workload and economy has been the most common limitations for the individual development. An interesting result is that age is shown to be a limitation, with a breaking point at 50-54 years of age. Some of the officers have shown to have an old point of view of proficiency development, it is equalled with rank and methods reach it is to study. One of the most interesting result, is the number of officers who lack of own engagement in their own proficiency development. This result is very interesting. According to Swedish Armed Forces personnel handbook (H Pers 97), it is the individual’s own interest and engagement that is the most important thing when it comes to proficiency development.