What is training output?

Training output, in the SIYB regional programme is considered the tangible output of the training activities conducted by the SIYB Regional Project and the SIYB Master Trainers and the local SIYB training providers in the project countries.The SIYB Master Trainers train trainers working for local training providers. These SIYB trainers, in turn, train potential and existing entrepreneurs. Training activities referred to under training output can relate to

Training of SIYB Trainers seminars
Refresher Training of SIYB Trainers seminars
Generate Your Business Idea (GYBI) Workshops
SYB Training of Potential Entrepreneurs (TOPE) seminars
SYB Follow-up Training of Potential Entrepreneurs seminar
IYB Training of Entrepreneurs (TOE) seminars
IYB Refresher Training of Trainers seminar
Business Improvement Groups Individual Counseling In the case of the SIYB Regional Project Office, training activities might also relate to

Training of SIYB Master Trainers seminars
Refresher Training of Master Trainers seminars and other training seminars. The SIYB Regional Project Office has undertaken several other training activities on an experimental base, for instance the Training of Credit Officers during five day workshops.
How is training output measured?

The training output of the SIYB regional programme is continuously measured using a simple Monitoring and Evaluation system operated by the SIYB Regional Project Office in active collaboration with all Master Trainers and training providers.

SIYB trainers and Master Trainers are expected to maintain records about all their training activities and to send activity reports to the SIYB Regional Project Office. The SIYB Regional Project Office maintains a database about all training activities in the six countries covered by the SIYB regional programme. Based on the activity reports from the SIYB trainers and SIYB Master Trainers, the database is constantly updated. As a quality routine, incoming data is double-checked for verification purposes and follow-up on the reported training activities is made by the SIYB Regional Project Office during the impact evaluation exercises (also refer to training impact)

The training output data is used by the SIYB Regional Project Office for evaluation purposes and is accessible to all programme stakeholders. SIYB Master Trainers and SIYB trainers could use it for purposes of marketing the SIYB programme and benchmark their own performance against the performance of other country programmes and individual training providers. Training sponsors and credit providers (also refer to Linkages to Finance) might use the data to monitor output of training providers. The multi-bilateral Development Cooperation community and Business Development Services Organizations at large might find the data useful for purposes of comparison.

Total number of entrepreneurs trained in GYBI, SYB and IYB

The total reported number of entrepreneurs trained in any of the three SIYB packages over 18 months i.e. July 2001 to September 2003 in 5 project countries is 11318 people. The number represents the reported number of trained entrepreneurs but this can be multiplied by a factor of 2 to get an estimated actual, which then yields an actual of about 22636 entrepreneurs. These figures do not take into account possible overlap of trainees who could have been trained and therefore reported in more than one package. The table below summarizes the number of trained entrepreneurs by package as well as the estimated actual figures.

Table 1 Total number of trained entrepreneurs in all SIYB packages

The table above and the graph overleaf clearly demonstrate that globally emphasis was placed mostly on the SYB followed by the IYB programme that also received a good coverage.  However, reported training in GYBI was still low during the project phase.

The project is strong in empowering entrepreneurs through SYB and IYB but will need to focus on grooming potential entrepreneurs with opportunities for employment creation.

Figure 1: July 2001 – To Date SIYB Trainees in 6 project countries

Number of entrepreneurs trained in GYBI, SYB and IYB by country; Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

The table below reveals the profile for each country with respect to the number of entrepreneurs trained for each of the three programmes.

Table 2 Reported number of trained entrepreneurs by country and programme

There is a similarity in the patterns for Zimbabwe, Zambia and Uganda where there is convincing evidence of SYB dominance with proportions of over 50% for each of the three countries. Tanzania shows very high emphasis on the IYB programme (66%) and some relatively improved emphasis on the GYBI programme although it is still lower than the SYB and IYB programmes. Mozambique has got a unique profile that shows a clear tie between GYBI and SYB, whilst there is little emphasis on IYB. It is therefore necessary to continue consolidating IYB activities in Mozambique whilst Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Uganda should consolidate GYBI activities as well as maintaining SYB and IYB.

Figure 2: Reported number of trained entrepreneurs by country and programme

Gender proportions of the trained entrepreneurs in each country

One of the SIYB programme’s objectives to empower marginalized groups in the society especially women to become entrepreneurs in their own right as well as creating employment opportunities for them. The table below shows the proportions of total number of trained entrepreneurs by gender.  It is encouraging to note that in four of the project countries i.e. Zimbabwe, Zambia, Uganda and Tanzania, the programme has managed to train a number of women that is at least equal to that of trained man over the first 18 months of the project.

In total, the findings depict a fairly gender balanced training programme, i.e. 49% men and 51% women were trained. It is also acknowledged that Mozambique is still behind in the area of gender sensitivity, which requires attention over the last 18 months of the project. It is encouraging that the findings match closely with the project indicator no. 8, i.e. 50% of trained entrepreneurs are women.

Table 3 Gender distribution of trained entrepreneurs.

Figure 3: Gender distribution of trained entrepreneurs by country

The gender distribution of participants for the previous project phase as reported in the previous impact assessment was composed of 43% women and 57% men. It is therefore evident that the programme has improved in the area of gender sensitivity from the position of the previous phase. The figure below illustrates the shift in the gender distribution from previous phase to current phase. The project has made strides toward a balanced selection of participants by gender.

Number of trained entrepreneurs over 18 months against target numbers expected at the end of the year.

The table below demonstrates how the numbers achieved in the first 18 months compare with the target numbers expected at the end of the project. The comparison is two pronged i.e. Reported versus Target Reported and Actual trained estimated versus Target actual estimated. The findings indicate the IYB has already surpassed the target by about 56% half way through the project reflecting high levels of commitment and effort to achieve set goals. The SYB has also surpassed the target by about 5% before the end of project phase. Therefore it is evident that the project is still on course with regards to the target number of trained entrepreneurs.

Table 4: Number of trained entrepreneurs compared with targets.

For a more detailed documentation of the training output of the SIYB regional programme please refer to officer in charge for Monitoring and Evaluation in the SIYB Regional Project Office.
The e-mail address is secretariat@ilosiyb.co.zw