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Information and Communication Technologies - ICT Training for Women Entrepreneurs

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)?.

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Information and Communication Technologies - ICT Training for Women Entrepreneurs

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

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

  3. 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. • 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 • Learning Materials: Teaching aids and other reference materials would be provided free of charge; full access to INASET’s library

  4. Methodology and Core Subjects • Methodology: Flexible 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) • 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

  5. Some Relevant Figures • 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)

  6. Results and Evaluations • Participants pass all comprehension and practical application evaluations with grades of 70% and above • 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

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

  8. Why Women Are Not Trained (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 • Family responsibilities (children, household chores, ...) • Working hours • Costs (low / insufficient income) • Transport difficulties (distance, time, ...) • Cultural factors • Lack of motivation • Lack of understanding/appreciation of ICT’s potential

  9. 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 “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

  10. 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 • 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

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