STATISTICAL TRAINING IN THE NATIONAL STATISTICAL SYSTEM NELSON MUPFUGAMI

OUTLINE Introduction Statistical skills gaps in the NSS Statistical training institutions in Zimbabwe Capacity building strategies in ZIMSTAT Recommendations Conclusion

When organisations are not performing well the first item to be struck off the budget is staff training. The idea is to wait until there is more time or more money.

Introduction Staff development is one of the most investment to be made in an organisation In most cases statistical training in the NSS/NSOs is least prioritised It is worth to note that anything worth achieving is worth to be planned for For effective good quality data production quality statisticians should be involved

Statistical skills Gaps NSDS SWOT analysis Lack of data analysis skills in the NSS No trainings on use of statistical packages Limited training on applied statistical courses tailor made for statistical agencies Not all universities offer programmes on official statistics Lack of statistical production management skills

Statistical Training Institutions in Zimbabwe. 14 universities in Zimbabwe University of Zimbabwe National University of Science and Technology Bindura University of Science Midlands State University ZOU Solusi University

CAPACITY BUILDING IN ZIMSTAT Training section exists In service training programme operational since 1982 Training programme accredited to the Royal Statistical Society Conducted in two phases – Part A and Part B Part A equivalent to RSS Ordinary Certificate Part B equivalent to RSS Higher Certificate

ctd Each part completed in one year Candidates drawn from the NSS – particularly line ministries and government departments Programme is for free Certificates are issued after completion of each part

Distance education training programme Established in 2005 Expansion of the in service training programme Caters for ZIMSTAT staff in provinces Not extended to other members of the NSS

Further studies ACBF grant agreement Graduates of the programme proceed to diploma in statistics at EASTC or University of Zimbabwe Two candidates from NSS and two candidates from ZIMSTAT Diploma holders proceed to UZ ,NUST and Makerere One candidate from NSS and one from ZIMSTAT

Recommendations Management to be convinced that training is a priority Training strategies to be put in place for the whole NSS Training needs to be done regularly Training to be carried out systematically and continuosly More statistical training centres to be established in the region to cater for the needs of the statistical agencies There is need to concentrate also on non technical issues

Conclusion From the SWOT analysis carried out the in service training programme is relevant It provides the specific skills tailor made for those handling statistical issues in line ministries and government departments It improves the quality of administrative data It promotes skills development for our statistical clerks A number of statisticians went through the programme

I Thank you