| 1. Title: Final evaluation: Operation Friendship's Vocational Skills Training Project No. 532-0070. Author: Allen V; McGuire P Source: [Unpublished] 1984. [5] 42 p. Abstract: Operation Friendship is a voluntary organization operating in a densely populated and impoverished sector of Kingston, Jamaica, to provide various educational, vocational training, health, and other services to the local population. The vocational skills training project described in this report was designed to assist Operation Friendship in providing vocational training to the poor and unemployed and to develop life skills for the youth of the area. The project was planned to run for 3 years beginning in September 1979 and to include 4 principal program elements: upgrading the Operation Friendship skills training program which was already underway, expanding the program into new areas, providing life skills training, and providing placement and counseling. During the life of the project, Operation Friendship's training capacity in the areas of woodwork, industrial sewing, machine shop and auto mechanics increased from an average of 35/year in the 12 years before the project to about 50/year. Job placement remained constant except for auto mechanics and the machine shop. The Auto Mechanics Department closed due to poorly trained instructors, scarcity of parts and frequent theft of tools, while jop placement for machinists fluctuated due to market demand. Woodwork and industrial sewing offer the best opportunities for job placement. Overall attendance was 87%, with high motivation for securing employment. Most of the funds budgeted for technical assistance for instructors were diverted to construction, and no technical assistance was provided, but targets for curriculum revision were met and the courses were condensed from 2 academic years to 1. Because of employment opportunities in the service and repair industries, 3 new training skills programs were added in air conditioning and refrigeration, small appliance repair, and lithography. Job placement appears to be good. Completion of the new building was delayed from June 1980 to August 1982, with the delay significantly increasing costs of the building and causing postoponement of some project plans. Delays in construction and frequent turnover of project personnel were 2 problems identified in the majority of the project's quarterly reports. 209 young people received training in trade skills and family life education and 119 were placed upon graduation. Operation Friendship at the completion of the project had the capacity of training 70-80 youths/year. Project expenditures for staff salaries and training were 30% below the expected level beacuse less time than expected was spent on the project by key personnel. More funds than planned were spent on materials and supplies, equipment and vehicle, and the building. The US Agency for International Development's approval process was probably unnecessarily rigorous and contributed significantly to the project delay. The successful replication of Operation Friendship in other parts of Jamaica appears to be possible and desirable. The project demonstrated that the private voluntary organization sector in Jamaica is a viable alternative to government sponsored programs. Language: English Keywords: JAMAICA | CARIBBEAN | EVALUATION REPORT | USAID | TRAINING PROGRAMS | PROGRAM ACTIVITIES | OCCUPATIONS | ADOLESCENTS | CURRICULUM | EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES | FUNDS | LOW INCOME POPULATION | UNEMPLOYMENT | DEVELOPED COUNTRIES | Developing Countries | Americas | Evaluation | Government Agencies | Organizations | Education | Programs | Organization and Administration | Human Resources | Economic Factors | Youth | Age Factors | Population Characteristics | Demographic Factors | Population | Financial Activities | Social Class | Socioeconomic Status | Socioeconomic Factors | Employment | Macroeconomic Factors Document Number: 034512 |
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