Information and Communication Technologies - ICT Training for Women Entrepreneurs IDB’s Pilot Experience in Bolivia J. Enrique Velazco Reckling, Ph.D. Presidente Ejecutivo Fundación INASET

Why Women Are Not Trained (in ICT)? Inadequate/insufficient promotion/diffusion/information of training programs in ICT Inadequate/insufficient promotion/diffusion/information of training programs in ICT Discrimination: women don’t have the same training opportunities as men have Discrimination: women don’t have the same training opportunities as men have Family responsibilities (children, household chores,...) Family responsibilities (children, household chores,...) Working hours Working hours Costs (low / insufficient income) Costs (low / insufficient income) Transport difficulties (distance, time,...) Transport difficulties (distance, time,...) Cultural factors Cultural factors Lack of motivation Lack of motivation Lack of understanding/appreciation of ICT’s potential Lack of understanding/appreciation of ICT’s potential

Training Offer: Design Criteria No Fees (Registration, Enrollment) : Although we believe that “free services are not appreciated”, a decision was made to exclude possible cost-associated barriers. No Fees (Registration, Enrollment) : Although we believe that “free services are not appreciated”, a decision was made to exclude possible cost-associated barriers. Schedule: Any time segment between 07:00 and 22:00 would be available provided there were at least 4 women in the group Schedule: Any time segment between 07:00 and 22:00 would be available provided there were at least 4 women in the group Group Size: Minimum of four persons and a maximum of 12 per group to ensure individual attention Group Size: Minimum of four persons and a maximum of 12 per group to ensure individual attention Learning Materials: Teaching aids and other reference materials would be provided free of charge; full access to INASET’s library Learning Materials: Teaching aids and other reference materials would be provided free of charge; full access to INASET’s library

Methodology and Core Subjects Methodology: F lexible approach both in Basic Subjects’ selection (linked to “every day” real life needs) and in pacing (individual mastering of the subjects) to respond to real and perceived needs Methodology: F lexible approach both in Basic Subjects’ selection (linked to “every day” real life needs) and in pacing (individual mastering of the subjects) to respond to real and perceived needs Program Structure: Combines two “dimensions”: subject and level (Elementary, Basic and Advanced) Program Structure: Combines two “dimensions”: subject and level (Elementary, Basic and Advanced) Specific Contents : Adjustable for each group and for each participant in accordance with the results of the initial assessment of previous knowledge and of the specific needs of labor tasks Specific Contents : Adjustable for each group and for each participant in accordance with the results of the initial assessment of previous knowledge and of the specific needs of labor tasks

Some Relevant Figures Net Training Hours: (4 February to 17 April) Net Training Hours: (4 February to 17 April)  G1: 46 hours + 10 hours (evaluations and tutoring)  G2: 42 hours + 10 hours (evaluations and tutoring)  G3: 44 hours + 10 hours (evaluations and tutoring)  G4: 28 hours + 16 hours (evaluations and tutoring) % Covered G1 (B+) G2 (E-B) G3 (B) G4 (B) Windows Word Excel Power Point Internet50000

Results and Evaluations Participants pass all comprehension and practical application evaluations with grades of 70% and above Participants pass all comprehension and practical application evaluations with grades of 70% and above Participants assess with 90% or more: Participants assess with 90% or more:  Overall instructor’s quality and performance  Capacity / ability to transmit ideas and concepts  Usefulness and relevance of examples and exercises  Overall relevance and quality of the activities  General satisfaction with training experience

Opinions… Why Was It Useful and What Benefits Did You Find?: It helped me improve my labor performance It helped me improve my labor performance I am beginning to understand why and how computers can help my business I am beginning to understand why and how computers can help my business Increases women’s competitiveness (access to better jobs) Increases women’s competitiveness (access to better jobs) Improves managerial capacity to lead present and future business (personal, cultural, and cognitive improvement) Improves managerial capacity to lead present and future business (personal, cultural, and cognitive improvement) Better group and team coordination and work Better group and team coordination and work Helped me to better organize my life and made me more dynamic Helped me to better organize my life and made me more dynamic

Why Women Are Not Trained (in ICT)? Inadequate/insufficient promotion/diffusion/information of training programs in ICT Inadequate/insufficient promotion/diffusion/information of training programs in ICT Discrimination: women don’t have the same opportunities for training as men have Discrimination: women don’t have the same opportunities for training as men have Family responsibilities (children, household chores,...) Family responsibilities (children, household chores,...) Working hours Working hours Costs (low / insufficient income) Costs (low / insufficient income) Transport difficulties (distance, time,...) Transport difficulties (distance, time,...) Cultural factors Cultural factors Lack of motivation Lack of motivation Lack of understanding/appreciation of ICT’s potential Lack of understanding/appreciation of ICT’s potential

Conclusions (1) The pilot program confirms previous experiences that show a high initial resistance of women to enroll in this particular area of training: suggest need to use inductive programs/activities to transmit and explain ICT’s potential The pilot program confirms previous experiences that show a high initial resistance of women to enroll in this particular area of training: suggest need to use inductive programs/activities to transmit and explain ICT’s potential The “market”, alone, will not develop and offer the needed services (methodologies) to promote and diffuse ICT The “market”, alone, will not develop and offer the needed services (methodologies) to promote and diffuse ICT In order to diffuse ICT usage as a working tool to improve business’ performance and gap the digital divide, policies should be designed/implemented to promote/support innovative services for development of skills in this area both, in enterprises and in services’ providers In order to diffuse ICT usage as a working tool to improve business’ performance and gap the digital divide, policies should be designed/implemented to promote/support innovative services for development of skills in this area both, in enterprises and in services’ providers

Conclusions (2) The Pilot project of ICT training for women entrepreneurs has proven successful in both, the design and the implementation of a training methodology The Pilot project of ICT training for women entrepreneurs has proven successful in both, the design and the implementation of a training methodology Taking full advantage of ICT potential requires: Taking full advantage of ICT potential requires:  Strengthening/development of a new personal and entrepreneurial mentality (management in the Information-Knowledge society)  Improving information management capabilities (QPM-CQPIP)  Development of physical and institutional structure  Support/promotion for innovative Entrepreneurial Development Services in ICT, as part of comprehensive and integral services for SME business management