77.4% indicated that the benefit they gained from the training was excellent (blue) or very good (red); 17.1% (orange) answered good
94.1% identified with their team specific problems that need to be solved in their organization
89.8% developed a specific plan to try and solve specific problems, 85.5% of them have discussed these with their management and 70% have solved some of the problems
95.6% indicated that they would recommend this training to others
Results of survey some months after the training; 665 participants (56.5% from North and 43.5% from South)
4. Examples of organizational improvements
It was very encouraging to obtain feedback from trainees that state they were able to generate interventions that supported the improvement of the performance of their organization. This clearly shows the benefit from the problem-based learning approach. Some examples that were provided are presented here:
Establishment of complaint management units in several water utilities are being initiated as a result of a training on complaint management (Figure 1)
Complaint forms developed to support quality management
The training of the Cleaning Funds has refreshed the sector, developed a strategic plan, approved by board of directors of the funds and implementation is in progress
The training on Solar Power has promoted the successful experience of Dhamar LC. Currently several utilities are working on following the example of Dhamar LC and getting such large Solar Plants incl. Al-Baydha LC
Solar power system Dhamar LC that serves as example for others including Al-Baidha and Taiz LCs
Building the capacity of the trainer of water meter management who came from the General Authority for Standardization and Metrology. He is currently assisting the water utilities with the strict prevention of import of water meters with not up to standard quality. Further the trainer established water meter testing and calibration unit at the Meteorology Authority (Figure 4).
Water meter bench test at the Meteorology Authority
The course of the strategic planning has urged the leaderships of the water utilities to discuss fuel support exit plans and reflect hands on measures of cost recovery improvement within the strategic plans of the water utilities.
Fuel support exit strategy workshop as a part of the strategic planning training
The MetaMeta Approach on Green Roads has contributed to changing the mindset of the trainees to shift from draining water out of the roads to harvesting and using water effectively, creating livelihoods without disturbing water rights. The trainees requested to update the curriculums in the university with this concept and to standardise it in Yemen.
5. Some observations
The program succeeded in building a new type of capacity both in the North and the South of Yemen led by local institutions, i.e. the water and environment centres at Sana’a and Aden Universities. A good number of training courses were and can be repeated in the future on a regular base. Some additional courses for strategic issues can be added. Whereas the training centres at the two universities have increased their capacity, more can be done to consolidate and expand. It would be even more interesting if a small fund can be added to the training program to allow university students to help implement some applied research in some cases to make a better problem analysis and in others to help test possible solutions.
A very important issue is to further enhance the buy-in from the management of the organizations that are sending the trainees. The more management is aware from the way in which their organization can benefit, the more willing they will be to select the most suitable candidates for training. An option that may help to move in this direction is to establish a refresher training for managers.
Training can serve many purposes. Whereas the prime function is the development of skills and knowledge, it can also bring together people and create the motivation to make a difference. It may catalyse change in the services delivered by the organization represented by the trainees. Training can be a powerful instrument, not a support function, for improved organizational performance, particularly if it directly addresses the problems within the organization and brings the confidence and incentive that such problems can be handled effectively.