In - house review, youth on the job training (669-0160)

Special evaluation covers the period 7/79-7/82 and is based on document review and interviews with the chief of party and the project director. Despite an unexpected Liberian economic decline, the project has made a positive, if limited, impact on employment. Between 1/81 and 4/82, 129 trainees (in auto mechanics, electronics, welding, carpentry, plumbing, cabinetmaking, etc.) were placed with 49 private/public employers. However, in the main project shortfall, only 3 of 34 assignments between 1/82 and 4/82 went to women. As some earlier trainees were ill-equipped for training, a general aptitude test has been introduced (with the 5/82 project revision) to aid in trainee selection/counseling. Also, many individuals listed as trainees for as long as 5 years have been withdrawn and their places reassigned. The OVT training program has been upgraded with the recruitment of a director, a vocational counselor, a job developer, 4 trade specialists, 2 secretaries, 2 messengers, 2 custodians, 2 drivers, and 2 security guards. Staff workshops have been conducted in task analysis, performance objectives development, OVT program administration, and the philosophy of vocational education for emerging countries. Two instructors have completed short-term U.S. training; 2 others and an administrator are set to follow. In addition, OVT staff have conducted orientation sessions for 98 participants to clarify employer/trainee and program staff responsibilities, prepared staff job descriptions, and developed data collection forms to monitor training results. Two short-term consultants have helped in aptitude testing and in the development of 40 supplementary learning activity packages (ready to be field tested and prepared for final printing) and have instructed staff on color slide processing and mounting. An 7/82 memorandum notes that project targets have been altered to reflect economic changes and to better incorporate women; a revised log frame is attached. Recommendations are included.