Project assistance completion report [: regional non-formal skills training project]

This project was a success: all participating governments have pledged to continue funding the programs (short-term, practical training, followed by help with job placement) initiated by the project. This has occurred even though several of the governments are struggling with economic adjustment programs and are looking to trim their technical training programs. In its final phase (FY89-92), the project met its overall training targets, and exceeded by far the 40% target for training of women. Most training was in direct response to the needs of employers and communities, but the formal advisory committees, instituted to provide linkage with the private sector, were not functioning at the end of the project. Moreover, staff were not skilled at analyzing labor market needs. The placement rate for trainees exceeded 70%. Unfortunately, lack of tracer data has made it impossible to verify longer-term impact. Another strength of the project was the low unit cost, averaging $1.84 per participant hour of instruction. The Caribbean Development Bank has expressed interest in helping OECS countries expand their skills training. To date, the training covers only about 15-20% of the potential target group. Two lessons were learned. (1) The project"s strategy of using diminishing subsidies to ensure institutionalization of innovative services into regular government portfolios worked. (2) Regional interaction (meetings, exchange visits, workshops) can strengthen the development of similar national programs.