Transcript Upgrading human resources skills for agricultural statistics in 21st century

UPGRADING HUMAN RESOURCES
SKILLS FOR AGRICULTURAL
STATISTICS IN 21ST CENTURY
FAO Statistics Division
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October 2009
OUTLINE
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Introduction
Competence management and capability
development
Skills required for statistics in new
technological environment
Implications of new technological environment
on statistical curricula
New training methods based on IT
Short term courses/degree courses in IT
Conclusions
INTRODUCTION
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Increasing demand for statistics for evidencebased decision making and in response to
emerging issues at international level
Implementation of Global Strategy to Improve
Agricultural Statistics will include statistical
capacity building at country and international levels
Human resources development is an important
aspect for statistics offices
Upgrading staff’s skills in new technology and
new statistical tools are very important
Competence management and
capability development
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Competence management involves training/learning at every
stage of career:
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capability development:
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formal classes;
largest part of competence development happens in daily work;
Statistics Sweden’s “Competence Development Policy”.
core competencies common to all domains;
specific competencies for a particular domain;
Australian Bureau of Statistics’ “Organisational People and Learning
System”
Training in various subjects may be organized through special
training sessions at the beginning of, or during, the career
Skills required for statistics in new
technological environment
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Computer Skills: Common software, eg.
Microsoft Excel, Word and PowerPoint; SPSS
or SAS
Geographic Information System (GIS)
Communication through Internet
Staff training in new information technology
Implications of new technological
environment on statistical curricula
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Training institutions should include IT
topics in their curricula
In both formal educational institutions
providing degrees and for those that provide
short-term training programmes
Statistics training institutions in Africa: IASE;
ENSEA; University of Pretoria; INSEA;
IASRI in India offers MSc and PhD in ag. stat
New training methods based on
information technology
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distance learning
e-leaning offer possibilities for students or
participants to benefit from their training
while staying at home or in offices
combination of traditional classroom lessons
with e-learning
Short term courses/degree courses in
information technology
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Short courses at the premises of the institutions or in
the work place
Degree courses in computing: for training specialists
in data processing and in information technology
Degree courses prepare participants to take on
responsibilities for large scale data processing or for
managing computer services
Statistics offices need both high level specialists in
computing and computer literate staff
Conclusions
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Building staff capability is beneficial to both
statistics office and individual staff member
Competencies are acquired through transfer of
knowledge during daily work
At least every statistical staff should be computer
literate
upgraded staff’s skills in IT result in better statistical
products showing attractive outputs
Interest of users and development partners in
statistics products will help facilitate financing of
statistical undertakings
Points for Consideration by the
Working Group
Considering the changing environment of statistical
work, the changing demand for and training needs,
and the current training supply the Working Group is
requested to provide its views on:
 Training gaps
 Role of International Organizations in supporting
training activities
 Role of National Organizations in supporting
statistical training activities in their oen countries
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THANK YOU !
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