AID Participant Training Program Management Problems

Administrative problems directly hamper effective efforts by the Agency for International Development (AID) to program, monitor, and evaluate AID training activities for people from developing countries. The training program is under the planning, direction, and implementation of the Office of International Training in the Development Support Bureau. The Office of International Training is unable to provide current or complete information on the number of participants being trained, participants' U.S. arrivals and departures, occupation of participants who returned home, and contractors supplying the participants with training or related services. Many questions have been raised about the adequacy of participant training management and recordkeeping.

As late as July 1979, the Office of International Training estimated that the Office maintained records of one-half of the total AID-sponsored participants. The present information system does not provide complete data on participants and training costs. Without this information, the agency cannot be sure that all training is contributing effectively to the overall development process. AID has recently tried to improve the information system and the organizational structure of participant training. Many contracts have been let with private firms to: (1) reduce the backlog of participants data not included in the computerized system, (2) study the need for changes in the Participant Training Information System, and (3) revise the participant health and accident coverage system.

Recommendations

Our recommendations from this work are listed below with a Contact for more information. Status will change from "In process" to "Open," "Closed - implemented," or "Closed - not implemented" based on our follow up work.

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