Proposal of work and programmes for the 2003-2004 biennium

CINTERFOR/ILO WORK STRATEGIES

The use of institutional resources and the combination thereof to attain the goals outlined in this general plan will reinforce the strategies utilised in the current biennium, with a few changes of emphasis according to the demands of VTIs.

1. Research and publication of knowledge and experiences.

The different collections usually published by the Centre will include aspects such as the links of training with the rural sector, local development, renewable energy sources, impact evaluation, entrepreneurial training experiences, curricular design , quality management, and others.

2. Electronic dissemination and training tools.

Apart from constant expansion of its website, the Centre will increase the volume of information published in English. A joint project has been undertaken to that end with the Swiss Development Co-operation for the translation of technical documents and other material for the benefit of countries in the English-speaking Caribbean. Other site contents on topics like occupational competencies, young people and training, gender, unions, employers and others will continue to be kept up to date.

3. Computerised interaction with users.

This approach is a growing tendency. Several areas in the Centre already offer on-line assistance to users. Teleconferencing has also been envisaged on different subjects ranging from gender and training to training based on competencies, social dialogue, trade unions and training and many others.

4. Support of personnel exchanges among training institutes.

The good results yielded by this strategy in the current period augur well for its prolongation in the future. On the request of VTIs, the necessary contacts will be made to facilitate exchanges of personnel, or technical missions and visits to get acquainted with new training experiences or know-how. The practice will be promoted among training bodies in view of the large number of positive experiences in the region in aspects like quality management, training by competencies, technological training and development, to mention but a few.

5. Provision of Counselling, Information and Technical Assistance services

Based on the network of consultants and experts in different areas that the Centre makes available to VTIs. Increasing use is being made of the co-operation that the institutions themselves offer through their own officers and technicians in areas like training by competencies, quality management, the design of lifelong education schemes, etc.

6. Promotion of joint activities with national institutions.

Consists of the support the Centre has always given to the initiatives of national VT institutions that organise seminars, training events, discussion workshops, etc. that are very useful to launch projects, evaluate progress or discuss innovations.

7. Exchange and coordination with ILO offices and technical services.

This strategy proved to be very fruitful during the preceding period and will no doubt be useful for this one. The excellent coordination that has been achieved with the various ILO Offices and services has enabled the Centre to design and implement concerted activities and make a reality of the concept of “a comprehensive Labour Organisation”.

8. Joint work with other international agencies.

Cinterfor/ILO will maintain coordination with other agencies like Multilateral Banks and international organizations within and without the United Nations System on aspects connected with development priorities based on the training of human resources.

9. Personnel development and optimisation of resources to enhance attainment of objectives.

Staff training and development is a fundamental strategy of the Centre and the ILO. Institutional programmes and strategies will be applied in this connection. Other priorities are meeting existing demands and intensive use of information and communication technologies. Full utilisation of the Centre’s physical infrastructure and facilities, like the publishing area and design and development of its website are of crucial importance for the accomplishment of dissemination and information activities.