National Training Workshop in REDATAM for Trinidad and Tobago

Submitted by katharina on 28 October 2011 - 11:50am

This workshop formed part of an ongoing initiative being undertaken by the Statistics and Social Development Unit (SSDU) of the subregional headquarters for the Caribbean of ECLAC, in order to improve national statistical capacity in the use of the Retrieval of Data for small Areas of Microcomputer (REDATAM) software. Through this workshop, database experts from the various ministries and the Central Statistical Office (CSO) of Trinidad and Tobago were introduced to two of the modules of the REDATAM software (Create and Process), which could be used for database creation and analysis of data.

Key Information
7 December 2009 - 11 December 2009
Case Study
Background: 

The workshop was the second in a series of workshops aimed at promoting human-resource and capacity-building at the national and regional levels in the use of the REDATAM software. It also served as a qualifier for a follow-up workshop on the use of the web-publishing application of the software to be held in 2010.

Results Achieved: 

Twenty six persons gained an understanding of the unique features of the REDATAM software for creating databases and running analyses on datasets. This process has enhanced the capacity and commitment of Member States of the subregion to utilize this software, that was developed by CELADE of ECLAC in Santiago, Chile, to process and analyze the 2010 round of Population and Housing Censuses (PHC) being currently conducted in the Caribbean subregion.

Main Activities: 

Demonstrations by facilitator, hands-on activities and exercises

Future Replicability
Lessons Learned: 

Some participants noted that too much content was covered in the space of the 5-days and as such suggestions were made to lengthen the duration of these National workshops. The SSDU of the subregional office for the Caribbean of ECLAC continues to seek support to develop capacities of personnel from other Caribbean states in the use of this software in their very important work ahead in order to deliver timely and accurate results of their PHCs.

Key to Success for Future Replicability: 

• Very high interest has been expressed by several countries of the subregion to build their capacity in the use of this software. This expression of interest has been emphasized at the highest technical level;
• The greatest challenge posed is the availability of financial resources to adequately fund the participation of appropriate personnel;
• Once this is procured, capacity building can be rapidly enhanced since the capacity at the subregional office has also been improved and this continues with the expansion of training to other staff members of this office.

Recommended Follow-Up:
On the basis of the lesson learned (above), a review of the course in terms of content and structure will be done before the next training. Additionally, more emphasis will be made to the conduct of national workshops where more personnel can be trained.

Contacts: 

Focal point(s) in lead country/organization
Population Affairs Officer, ECLAC’s subregional headquarters for the Caribbean Sinovia Moonie, Statistical Assistant, ECLAC: sinovia.moonie@eclac.org;
Sylvan Roberts, Coordinator of the SSDU at ECLAC’s subregional headquarters for the Caribbean: sylvan.roberts@eclac.org;

Supporting UN agency focal point
Dirk Jaspers: Director of CELADE of ECLAC, Santiago: dirk.jaspers@cepal.org;
Alejandra.silva@cepal.org