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7.4.2 Planning and research

Written by: International Labour Organization

Article Overview: There is a strong consensus that demand-driven training requires comprehensive 'labour market information systems' (LMIS) based on market indicators.

7.4.2 Planning and research

There is a strong consensus that demand-driven training requires comprehensive 'labour market information systems' (LMIS) based on market indicators. It is clear, however, that no operational LMIS exists anywhere in the developing or developed world that is capable of generating the kind of information that allows planners to arrive at well grounded and detailed decisions about training priorities and resource allocations (see Box 16). In practice, it is very difficult to assess trends in informal sector incomes and earnings (see Turnham, 1995) and many of the conventional labour market indicators that have been proposed are simply not valid, (including vacancy and unemployment rates). Even the use of application rates for specific training courses is questionable.

This is not to deny, however, that national information systems on training provision are urgently needed. In particular, every registered training institution should be legally obliged to provide fairly comprehensive information on training provision including: names of courses, numbers of applicants and enrolments for each course, fees, and completion rates. If public resources are received for training activities then more detailed reporting on training efficiency and effectiveness should be required.

The Training & Visit system for farmers is successful training model because information about what training is needed for target groups of farmers is generated by the agricultural research and extension system using appropriate diagnostic procedures and systematic research both off- and on-farm. Just as farmer trainer centres delivering standardised training courses have generally failed to have much of an impact on agricultural productivity and incomes among small farmers, so VET centres offering similar types of courses to informal sector entrepreneurs and workers with minimal research on the technology needs of these enterprises and very limited extension outreach have been equally ineffective.

While it would be neither desirable nor feasible to develop an altogether new national network of government research, extension and other support institutions for the informal sector, steps should be taken to build up a critical mass of researchers working across the necessary range of technical and social science disciplines.

EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING
PAPERS
43
Learning to change: Skills
development among the
economically vulnerable and
socially excluded in
developing countries
Paul Bennell
Employment and Training Department
International Labour Office Geneva
First published 1999

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Article Tags: agricultural productivity, agricultural research, application rates, completion rates, diagnostic procedures, extension outreach, incomes, informal sector, labour market indicators, labour market information, national information systems, public resources, resource allocations, specific training, successful training, systematic research, target groups, training courses, training institution, unemployment rates



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Re: How do you make the most of your day? - Planning, To Do lists, and deadlines all help me. Also being self critical of my own time management helps me raise the bar. I still check email too often though.
Re: Success - I think it was Gary Player who said the harder I practice the luckier I become when it came to his success as a world class golfer. Planning and dedication to a task can make all the difference between success and failure. MichelleJ
Re: Quote of the Day - "If you hesitate, some bolder hand will s - Excellent quote, Evan. This reminds me of the saying, "The early bird catches the worm." It's important to act on impulses, rather than hesitate and plan. Planning isn't a bad thing and is warranted in certain cases, but those who act quickly will get a step ahead of the competition.
Nice List - Nice list, and I agree with everything you all have added! Planning is the biggest one of all! Look at everything from every aspect possible, and then ask others to look at it as well. It's extremely important that you consider everything before jumping into things, and it goes so much smoother! Also, some young entrepreneurs tend to have an unrealistic mindset (I can sell 4000 of this product in my first week!). Make sure you know what you're getting into, and don't expect something that won't ever happen. ~Marie
Re: Due Diligence, Market Research.. Ahead of the curve. - Congrats! A few months ago I wrote extensively on market research. Check in the Inventors corner for the posts. Let me know if I can help further! Dont spend a dime on a protype or advertising until you do some research! Jude


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