Portworker Development Programme - Sectoral Activities

The PDP Materials

The PDP materials are seen as more than a training package - they represent free consultancy and advice since the materials constitute a comprehensive manual on how to manage and supervise container terminal operations.

The PDP Units

The basic component of the PDP system is the instructional Unit, which is presented in the form of a ring-binder (hard copy) and in electronic format on a CD. Each Unit comprises:

instructor's text,
overhead projector transparencies (OHP transparencies),
a set of master sheets - worksheets for class exercises and test sheets for a post Unit test and
Feedback Questionnaires

In addition, the PDP materials include the Glossary of Technical Terms and the Instructor's Guide.

Currently there is in excess of 900 hours of training contained in the 30 training Units.

The above PDP materials are presently available by the ILO in English, Spanish and Russian. Copyright agreements have been signed between the ILO and other parties for the translation and publication of the PDP into other languages.

Moreover, in order to facilitate the training of PDP Instructors a PDP Chief Instructors Manual has been developed and validated within the framework of an international tripartite workshop that took place in Turin, Italy in 2004 and subsequently published in electronic format (CD-ROM).

The Instructors Text

Each text has two distinct parts:

An introduction with general instructions on the aims and objectives of the Unit, and how the instructor should prepare for running it.
A lesson plan, which sets out the course of the lesson, step-by-step, with all the relevant information and complete suggestions on how the information may be presented.

To see an example of the contents of the Instructor's Text, click here (pdf, 49k).

The Overhead Projector Transparencies

Each Unit contains a set of about 50 coloured overhead projector transparencies. Instructors are expected to show their own specially prepared transparencies to supplement the set provided, so that trainees can see versions of local documents or procedures. The electronic version of PDP training material allows instructors to use the OHP's as prepared or to manipulate the data to include local source material. In addition, the CD version of the training materials provides instructors with the flexibility (Adobe Acrobat / MS PowerPoint) to show the material using a computer projection facility. Documents may obviously be generated directly instead of photocopying hard copies of worksheets or test papers.

To see examples of PDP overhead projector transparencies, click here (pdf, 443k).

Worksheets

Each Unit also contains a set of "worksheets" for use in exercises. The exercises built into each Unit are an extremely important element of the learning experience.

To see examples of PDP Worksheets, click here (pdf, 5k).

Test Sheets

Tests are an integral part of the learning process. Achievement of each behavioural objective is assessed by means of a set of dichotomous or multiple choice questions contained in a test paper for each Unit.

To see an example of the PDP Test Sheets, click here (pdf, 6k).

Feedback questionnaires

The PDP has been designed to include feedback that would facilitate the elimination of any shortcomings in the delivery of PDP training and possible improvements.

To see examples, click here (pdf, 41k) for the Instructor's feedback questionnaire and here (pdf, 6k) for the Trainee's feedback questionnaire.

Glossary of technical terms

The Lesson Plans of the PDP Units are supported by a "Glossary of Technical Terms" (comprising about 100 pages) that provide definitions to the technical terms that are included in text of these Lesson Plans.
Every term printed in bold in the Units (see sample of a Lesson Plan) and listed in the tables of "Terms defined in this Unit", is included. The conventions used in the definitions are as follows: n = noun; v = verb; a = adjective; references in [square brackets] give the identities of the Units (e.g. C.1.2) and Lesson Plan steps (e.g. #3.6) where definitions or explanations of the defined terms appear. To see a part of the "Glossary of Technical Terms" as an example please click here (pdf, 49k).

Instructor's Guide

A handbook is available to PDP instructors explaining the nature, form, and structure of the PDP materials, and suggesting how to:

plan,
schedule,
prepare,
present,
assess, and
evaluate PDP instructional sessions.

To see an example of the contents of the Instructor's Guide, click here (pdf, 47k).

PDP Chief Instructors Manual

This manual is written for use by Chief Instructors who are to train the Instructors who will deliver training courses based on the materials developed by the International Labour Organization's (ILO's) Portworker Development Programme (PDP).

The instructor training course is designed for a recommended duration of 10 working days but can be adapted for delivery over shorter durations if this is considered more appropriate or convenient. Participants who complete the course and meet the required standard of performance will be recognised as qualified PDP Instructors. The ILO recommends that after a minimum of two years experience in delivering PDP courses, suitably qualified and skilled instructors who have the necessary aptitude should be considered eligible for promotion to Chief Instructor and to then be able to deliver this course.

The instructor training material has been developed and tested to support the implementation of the PDP and is presented as a manual complete with lesson plans, exercises and visual materials ready to be applied in the context of the instructor training requirements of an organization. The instructor training course involves some practice in delivering PDP training units, some practice in delivering related forms of training, and the specific development of skills for the evaluation of trainee instructors.

Updated by MMTT. Approved MM/ET. Last update: 09 July 2008.