Impact Assessment

The State Training Policy (STP) in 2004 proved a guiding light for Kerala. It recognised, for the first time, all the human resources employed in public service needs grounding and grooming and the state is obliged to provide the necessary tools and environment.
Accordingly, the training strategy underwent significant changes.  The focal point was systematic assessment of training. Without evaluating the result of instruction, the whole idea of training falls off.
The entire process starts with gauging the training needs of each department. It will have following steps:
>   pick out the pressing needs of the department 
>  devising training modules, including training materials and training plans, 
>  Training of Trainers to a select sample of officers from the concerned departments.
> Rollout of programmes using Training Coordinators from the client Departments.  These activities were carried out in a phased manner with the participation, involvement and support from the Departments. 
>  A  Training Manager is put in place in each Department so as to ensure the smooth functioning of training courses conducted by each Departmental.
  Currently, IMG runs programmes both directly through its headquarters in Thiruvananthapuram and the two Regional Centres and in various districts through the Departmental Coordinators.

Except the end evaluation of the participants of each course, no systematic efforts had hitherto been made to evaluate programmes conducted under STP. 
 Without empirical data on the planning and implementation process, structures and mechanisms, infrastructure, post training follow up system, and the impact of training on the participants’ knowledge, skill and performance, modifications for enhancing the effectiveness of programmes become problematic. 
IMG has, therefore, entrusted Centre for Management Development (CMD) with the task of conducting an evaluation of training programmes under STP, with special focus on impact assessment of the programmes on participants.
Objectives of the study

The Study broadly aims to make an evaluation of the training programmes under STP and to make recommendations for enhancing the effectiveness of programmes.  The specific objectives of the study are to:
•    Evaluate training processes involved in conducting training programmes and the institutional structure and mechanisms for the same
•    Assess the training content, methodology and training material in terms of objectives / training need analysis
•    Evaluate the process of selection of Faculty / Trainers
•    Assess the infrastructure available for conducting training programmes
•    Evaluate the post training follow up system
•    Assess the impact of training programme (2007-08 only) on participants on the job performance and
•    Make recommendations for enhancing effectiveness of training programmes

The CMD has begun the study and relevant data have been collected from IMG.  We are expecting the analysis reports at the earliest.