IT for Decision Makers Capacity Building By Taholo Kami for UNESCO

Capacity Building Dilemma zHuman Resource Capacity is only one factor of many other limitations including yinfrastructure yregulatory issues ycost of access zHow do we jump start a nation? Where do we begin? zNew Zealand in 2001 began developing a fast tracking strategy to upskill the nation

FAST TRACKING versus traditional Education strategies zBuilding a knowledge based society is a priority zParticipation in the global economy is driven by the ability to use information zTraditional education strategies are too slow zFast tracking is identifying critical gaps in capacity and focusing resources to close gaps at an accelerated pace

Human Resources…. zHuman dimension is the most important yAffordable and fast Internet access without the human capacity to optimize it is poor use of resources. yE.g. Fiji’s Southern Cross cable will be incentive to speed development of IT initiatives but until human resources are able to utilize access, it has little impact on development.

The Challenge zCurrently less then 5% of Pacific populations have anything to do with the Internet zWe lack skills at all levels from general awareness to specialist technical skills to management and leadership. zWe need to develop cultures that embrace innovation and initiative and support entrepreneurship

Who are we Targeting? zGovernment Employees zPrivate Enterprise zCivil Society zGeneral Public zSchool Students

What kind of Skills? zTangibles yAdministrative yManagement yOperational yTechnical yLegal and Regulatory ySecurity z Intangibles yInnovation yCreativity yInitiative yIntegrity yEntrepreneurship yLeadership

Administrative zHigh level Commitment zAgency or multi sectoral mechanism to drive the transformation zNecessary resources

Management zPlan, organize, direct and control activities zDefine new working procedures and ethics zSolve problems and make decisions zEstablish and maintain good interdisciplinary relations zEnsure customer satisfaction through quality control of services and products

Operational zCapable Manpower zAvailability of necessary resources zEffective operating procedures zGood Systems backup services

Technical zNetwork hardware and terminal equipment zSystems and network software zCompatibility with Internet standards zNetworks and systems integration zUpgradable systems and networks

Legal and Regulatory zProtection of right to privacy zSetting and maintenance of Standards of ethics zEstablishment of framework that effectively deals with computer crime

Security zProtection of systems hardware zProtection of information and database zOrganizational security zControls over data input, processing and output

Intangibles (the “x” factors) zDifficult to produce but these are essential “People factors” yLong term cultural change xCulture of organizations / nation must be addressed xInvolve Schools, Communities and Families. yIn the short term - xspot potential champions at all levels and develop and support xProvide Incentives that encourage innovation xHighlight successes

Assessment zIdentifying Critical Gaps in Capacity yAvailable Skills yTraining Facilities yAvailable Resources

Assessment zExisting Training Facilities yEducation Institutions yPrivate agencies / facilities yConsultants / skilled trainers yInternal or In-house facilities yDistance education via Internet yOverseas Scholarships

Fast Tracking Strategy zSet Benchmark objectives yMust be realistic and attainable zFormal Education - examples yEvery grade 6 primary school student will have basic level computer skills by 200_ yAll high schools will offer IT courses by 200_ yAll teachers will have IT usage certificate by _ yTechnical and tertiary institutions will offer international standard IT courses by 200_ y10 scholarships per year for overseas IT training

Benchmarking continued zIntegrate into workplace – egs yAll Government employees level 1-9 must have basic IT usage certificate by 200_ yAll new Government employees must have IT usage certificate yWage increments for further IT training yIncentives for private enterprise and institutional employment training schemes by 200?

New Tracks….an example Raising awareness and basic IT Skills zIT License / Passport Scheme yObjective to ensure passport/license holder has basic computer and Internet skills yPassport / License holder needs to sit 4 to 5 one hour courses and a test yIT license /passport becomes necessary for all employment. yIncentives provided to various institutions to provide training

Fast Tracking yLink to existing Institutions xFinancial Incentives for institutional participation xNational recognition of special qualifications yCreate new tracks… xSpecialist courses for specific skills xSpecial courses for high level decision makers yIncentives that Motivate are those that make sense to individuals own goals

Funding zScholarships for overseas training zIncentives for new courses in local institutions zIncentives to organizations to upskill staff zIncentives and funding for new private training programmes zIncentives for individuals to participate in special training courses

Retention Strategy zCut the Brain Drain / leakage yPackage Approach xRewards are more then monetary xProfessional Development xCareer Progression xPeer Recognition yGood People build great organizations - great organizations are cornerstones of national development

Conclusion zUpskilling a nation and creating knowledge society requires yClear and attainable objectives yA realistic but often unconventional strategy to achieve objectives yCommitment of Resources zRemember Upskilling is a continuous process

The biggest pool of natural resources in the Pacific are our people…... empowering and enabling the people is the engine for real growth.