Evaluation of the African manpower development project in Kenya (project no. 698-0384.6)

Evaluation covers the period 10/76-9/81 and is based on document review and interviews with trainees and supervisors by an A.I.D./Government of Kenya (GOK) team. Strengths in the SP have outweighed weaknesses and helped to improve GOK operations. Although the absence of a trainee roster impeded SP review, 52 trainees (including only five women) were identified -- 22 long-term, degree trainees (e.g., in agronomy and computer science) and 30 short-term trainees (e.g., in labor statistics and shelter). Despite good USAID/GOK collaboration, a systematic trainee selection system was not developed. As a result, demand for the relatively few openings was excessive and not matched to the GOK's (poorly defined) manpower needs. Participants and supervisors felt the training was consonant with trainees' backgrounds; high quality; and, especially for short-term training, had a positive impact on job performance and procedures. The team commended the cross-national makeup of classes and the organization, planning, and presentation of the programs, but felt that short courses were too intensive, that professors emphasized theory and were unfamiliar with LDC problems, that in-country orientation was inadequate, and that allowances were insufficient. Almost all trainees returned to their former jobs, but only half expected to remain in the same organization more than 3 years, loss of computer specialists being especially problematic. Although favoring continuation of the SP, the team recommends that: (1) a detailed trainee roster be kept; (2) women's limited participation and the loss of computer specialists be studied; (3) the GOK develop a reporting process to better indicate its manpower needs; (4) A.I.D. reassess the adequacy of trainee allowances and reorient computer training to better suit GOK needs; (5) greater attention be given to pre-departure orientation and post-training follow-up; (6) training costs be analyzed in detail; and (7) potential Kenyan trainee counterparts/replacements be identified to increase the multiplier effect of the SP.