New Approaches to Training in National Accounts: A role for e-learning?

1. New Approaches to Training in National Accounts: A role for e-learning? Graham Eele Development Data Group World Bank

2. Overview • Human resources and capacity building in statistics • Training in national accounts • Using an e-learning approach • Some issues for discussion

3. Human resources and statistical capacity • In most statistical agencies human resources are the most important resource • In developing countries staff costs typically represent more than 75 per cent of the budget • Need to develop skills and ensure staff keep up with technical and other developments • Skilled staff are often the scarcest resource

4. Problems to be addressed • Problems in attracting and retaining skilled staff • Limited supply of skills • Diseconomies of scale, especially for small countries • Imbalances between professional and other staff in many statistical systems, but limited flexibility

5. Training in national accounts • Small numbers of staff in many countries • Need for continuous training related to compilation, but also improving source data • Limited training opportunities • High cost of training, particularly the opportunity cost of staff being away from their posts

6. E-learning • Well developed training method, widely used, but less experience with use in statistics • Form of distance learning, can be used alone or in combination with other methods • Can be linked to formal assessments if needed • WB developing an e-learning program on management of statistical capacity strengthening programs

7. Advantages and disadvantages • Advantages • Low delivery cost • Low marginal cost of adding additional learners • Flexibility and limited disruption to work programs • Disadvantages • High development cost • Lack of access to a trainer • Motivation of trainees • Need for access to computer facilities and the Internet

8. E-learning in national accounts • Potentially useful technique, but requires careful planning and precise definition of training needs and objectives • Modular approach likely to be effective • Need to make the course relevant to the trainees – need for many case studies • Requires built-in assessment mechanisms • Importance of feedback from users and extensive review of the material

9. Some issues • Development costs are not insubstantial; for the WB course one module involving enough material for about 60 to 90 minutes study requires: • Between 7 to 12 days for material preparation ($5,000 to $8,000) • About three weeks to put the material into an e-learning format, once the overall design is agreed, at a cost of around $12,000

10. Potential for collaboration • Developing the overall design • Sharing the cost • Preparing material • Identifying case study material • But who takes the lead?

11. The World Bank e-learning course • Why statistics matter • National statistical systems: organization, activities and principles • Assessing statistical systems: tools and processes • National strategies for the development of statistics • Managing NSDS preparation • Strengthening coordination, management and legislation

12. Modules • Building statistical infrastructure • Investing in data collection and dissemination • Improving administrative data systems • Human resource development • Costing and financing statistical development • Implementation of a capacity building program

16. Advice and comments very welcome