1. Training & Communication news
Item 1.3
Standards Working Group meeting 2019
Véronique Delhaxhe-Wolmering
Eurostat, Unit B5

2. Training: Overview of activities

3. Training Courses May 2018-April 2019

4. Training Courses May 2018-April 2019
Course name
Number of events
Total number of participants
EDAMIS Web Forms 3 91
EDAMIS Web Portal 43
ESS-MH 4
128
SDMX Basics 1 14
SDMX Converter 7
SDMX Registry 13
In addition, one course on EDIT offered but ultimately cancelled due to lack of interest.

5. Participants by country
Participants from 32 countries
Highest participation from Hungary (52 total participants) Slovenia (26) and Lithuania (26)

6. Participants by type of organisation
ONAs and National Central Banks are underrepresented among training participants: they represent 11% of participants but 25-30% of data transmissions to Eurostat.

7. Evaluation results
The average overall evaluation above 8/10 for all topics
Out of the three topics covered, SDMX received slightly higher evaluation results

8. Standards and ESTP programme
In red: courses given by Eurostat

9. Training: Outlook

10. New approach to training
Much of the training offered to data providers focuses on the use of specific tools rather than on the development of broader capacity.
For example, we offer several webinars on the specific functionalities of the SDMX Converter or of the SDMX Registry, but none on the SDMX standard itself. Learning to use the SDMX Converter will not make it easier for someone to use and understand other SDMX tools, but a basic knowledge of SDMX is a more reusable skill.

11. New approach to training
From tool-based courses…
…to building capacity
Data validation
SDMX
Metadata and quality reporting

12. What this means practically
For training on tools, we will move away from webinars and towards the creation of short training videos. This is already being implemented for EDAMIS. EDAMIS training videos are available here:
Likely fewer webinars, but on wider topics (e.g. an "SDMX crash course" webinar)
For the ESS-MH, the current model will not chnage, as the webinars combine an explanation of the tool with more general training on metadata and quality reporting

13. Communication

14. Communication with data providers: some issues
Information about our data and metadata standards and related services is scattered across several different web pages (SDMX Info Space, Dedicated sections on the Eurostat website, CROS Portal on validation, CIRCABC spaces)
Moreover, none of these portals are very adequate to manage highly dynamic information (training calendars, information on ongoing projects, news on standards and related applications)

15. Communication with data providers: some issues
We will evolve towards a more rational subdivision of the information:
The Eurostat website for more high-level, introductory information
Our new publicly accessible Confluence space for more dynamic or detailed information:

16. Eurostat website Confluence space
One portal for detailed information, comprising
News
Project information
Access to tools
Training calendar and videos
Detailed information
Dedicated sections which serve as single entry point
Each sharing a similar structure, containing
General introduction
Links to specific items such as training courses, tools, etc.
Contact point

17. Conclusions / Questions

18. Any comments on the available training courses and training formats
Any comments on the available training courses and training formats? Are there any unmet training needs? Which standards do you feel deserve to be better covered by training courses?
Any specific comments/ needs/ suggestions as regards communication?

19. Thank you for your attention