PUBLIC SECTOR MANPOWER TRAINING

Evaluation covers the period 7/79-12/80; methodology is noted below. As of 4/80, only the accountancy program component of the project at the University of Guyana (UG) was operating smoothly. Inflation has kept the GOG from funding construction of the extension to the Public Service Training Center (PSTC), a key project component which represents 58% of the GOG"s project contribution. Due to this delay, USAID has not begun procuring the audiovisual and other training aids for the proposed Center. Due to staffing difficulties, the GOG has been unable to conduct meaningful studies on manpower needs. The Ministries of Agriculture (MOA) and of Economic Development (MOED) and the State Planning Commission (SPC) were unable to identify qualified participants for overseas training. Nor has any research been done on the problem of trainee attrition through emigration and other means. As part of the project evaluation, a meeting was held between USAID/G, the MOA, the MOED, the Ministries of Public Service and Finance, and the National Energy Unit (NEU). Recommendations stemming from that meeting were: (1) that the GOG make a firm commitment to finance construction of the PSTC (to be completed by 3/82); (2) that the Implementation Plan be revised to extend the project"s terminal disbursement and project assistance completion dates and to widen in-country training programs; and (3) that the GOG submit a report on plans to conduct research and analysis of manpower needs. An update to the evaluation is appended and indicates that the Office of International Cooperation and Development (OICD) has begun to provide eight in-country training courses for MOA personnel; that both the MOA and NEU are beginning to identify training needs more clearly; that the the NEU has held a major in-country training program for its personnel, with others planned, and is preparing a detailed participant training plan; and that continuing fiscal problems would prohibit GOG financing of the PSTC in 1981.