RDRS TRAINING PROGRAMME OPPORTUNITIES
Development organizations need skilled, knowledgeable and committed staff. Training is one of the most effective ways of achieving this. Developing human resources changes attitudes, widens their perceptions and develops values.

Operating a large integrated development in northern Bangladesh for over 30 years, RDRS Bangladesh is one of the most experienced and highly respected NGOs in the country. The skills, experience and facilities of RDRS can be tapped through training for your organisation to develop staff at any level in a range of skill areas (management, professional and technical).

RDRS offers two categories of training - Human Development; and Practical Skills - for staff of other development agencies, NGOs as well as for its own staff, group leaders and members, federation (CBO) leaders, volunteers and others.

1. HUMAN DEVELOPMENT TRAINING COURSES

Human development encourages liberalisation of thinking and development of person's personality and creative powers. Human development training develops consciousness and attitude and is essential for facilitating development and for effective management in NGOs.

The objective of this training is to make people aware of society and their surroundings. This training develops participants' analytical abilities, how to assess and consider a problem and ways of addressing and solving it. It seeks to promote rational and clear thinking free of superstition and tradition. In doing so, it develops the self-confidence and self-respect of trainees and encouraged inner potential and strength to emerge.

Sl. no.

Name of the Courses

Duration (Days)

Participants

1.1

Foundation Course.
6

Newly recruited RDRS staff.

1.2

Development Communication & Motivation.
6

Mid, Junior level Managers, Field Workers.

1.3

Skills in Development Management.
6

Senior & Mid level Managers.

1.4

Strategic Planning & Management.
4

Senior & Mid level Managers.

1.5

New Business Creation.
12

Mid & Junior level Managers, Field Supervisors, Literate Group Members.

1.6

Building Grassroots Advocacy.
3/6

Mid & Junior level Managers, Field Workers, Federation Leaders.

1.7

 Gender Awareness.
3/6
Mid & Junior level Managers, Field Workers, Federation Members.

1.8

 Leadership Development.
6
 Junior level Managers, Group Leaders.

1.9

 Group Dynamics.
6
 Junior level Managers, Group Leaders.

1.10

 TOF (Training of Facilitators).
10
 Trainers & Extensionists.

1.11

 People's Theatre.
6
 Peoples Theatre Team Members, Cultural workers of NGOs.

1.12

 Micro finance Operation and Management.
6
 Mid & Junior level Managers, Field Workers, Group Leaders.

1.13

 Environmental Awareness.
6
 Junior level Managers, Volunteers, Federation Leaders.

1.14

 Disaster Management.
6
 Junior level Managers, Volunteers, Federation Leaders.

1.15

 Primary Health Care (PHC).
6
 Health Workers, Group Members.

1.16

 Communicable Diseases Prevention & First Aid.
4
 Health Workers, Group Members.

1.17

 Tuberculosis & Leprosy.
2
 Leprosy Workers, Group Members.

1.18

 Diarrohoeal Diseases.
3
 Health Workers, Group Members.

1.19

 Nutrition Education.
6
 Health Workers, Group Members.

1.20

 HIV/AIDs & Arsenic.
3
 Health Workers, Group Members.

1.21

 Reproductive Health.
6
 Health Workers, Nurse, Paramedics, Group Members.
1.22
 Traditional Birth Attendances (TBA).
6
 Traditional Birth Attendances, Group Members.
2. PRACTICAL SKILLS TRAINING

Practical skills development training courses are basically designed for those planning viable micro-enterprises or income-generation activities to improve their livelihood. This training equips participants with relevant knowledge and appropriate skills so that they can select and implement appropriate and viable microenterprises. The training also helps participants identify and mobilise appropriate human and material resources

Practical skills training courses, fall under two categories i.e. practical skill training (On-farm) and practical skill training (Off-farm)

Practical skills courses (On-farm)

Sl. no.

Name of the Courses

Duration

Participants

2.1

 Integrated Homestead Farming.
12 days
Extension Workers, Group Members.

2.2

 Tree Nursery.
6 days
Extension Workers, Group Members.

2.3

 Irrigation & Water Management.
7 days
Extension Workers, Group Members.

2.4

 Livestock Rearing and Management.
3/9 days
Extension Workers, Group Members.

2.5

 Livestock Field Worker Management.
14 days
Livestock Field Workers (group members).

2.6

 Poultry Rearing.
3/6 days
Extension Workers, Group Members.

2.7

 Poultry Vaccination.
6 days
 Extension Workers, Group Members.

2.8

 Pisciculture Management.
3/6 days
Extension Workers, Group Members.

2.9

 Integrated Fish Culture.
6 days
Extension Workers, Group Members.

2.10

 Cage culture.
3 days
Extension Workers, Group Members.

2.11

 Rice cum Fish Culture.
2 days
Extension Workers, Group Members.
2.12
 Fingerlings Production.
3 days
Extension Workers, Group Members.
2.13
 Apiculture Management.
4 days
Bee Keepers, Group Members.
 
Practical skills courses (Off-farm)
Sl. no.

Name of the Courses

Duration

Participants

3.1

 Shallow Engine Operation.
7 days
Shallow Engine Operators, Group Members.

3.2

 Shallow Engine Repair.
50/30 days
 Shallow Engine Mechanics, Group Members.

3.3

 Power Tiller Operation.
16 days
 Power Tiller Operators, Group Members.

3.4

 Agriculture Engineering Workshop.
90 days
 Group Members.

3.5

 Mini Milk Processing.
3 days
Group Members.

3.6

 Silk Worm Rearing & Reeling.
40 days
Group Members.

3.7

 Bamboo Works.
30 days
Group Members.

3.8

 Bi-Cycle Mechanics.
20 days
Group Members.

3.9

 Dress Making (Tailoring Training).
180 days
Group Members.

3.10

 Stitching & Embroidery.
120 days
Group Members.
3. TRAINING METHODS AND ARRANGEMENTS

Training Methods

Training methods adopted are participatory with both the trainees and the trainers activity involved in discussions. With a view to make the training programme fruitful various type of methods are followed in the sessions i.e. lecture, discussion, open discussion, small group discussion, question and answer, workshops, brainstorming, role-play, game, case study, structured experiences, demonstration, field visit and penal discussion, practical exercises etc. Hand -outs are also distributed in most of the sessions.

Course Facilitators

A team of highly qualitative, experienced and professional Trainers and Subject Specialists conduct training sessions. In addition, field based professional and skilled staff also impart training sessions. On certain occasions, resource persons from outside organisations are engaged for part or all of a selected training programme.

Review and Evaluation

During each course, training is conducted daily between 8:30 am -5:pm. At the end of each day, the participatory review is held and feedback is recorded for improvement and tailoring of subsequent training sessions. Pre and post-test evaluations are also conducted for each course. The trainees also write a daily report which they present at the beginning of the following day's session. On completion of each course, trainers prepare a detailed observation report which is distributed to all concerned.

4. RDRS TRAINING CENTRE FACILITIES

Training is imparted both in formal and non-formal settings. RDRS runs

 
One modern INTERNATIONAL training/conference centre at North Bengal Institute, Rangpur (24 rooms)
 
Three modern, fully equipped ZONAL training centres in Thakurgaon, Lalmonirhat and Kurigram,
 
Ten smaller modern, DISTRICT training centres at Tetulia, Atwari, Panchagarh, Pirganj, Domar, Kaliganj, Chilmari, Bhurungamari, Rowmari and Jaldhaka.
 
Up to 120 FEDERATION Centres run by CBOs with guidance from RDRS. These rural smaller centres are utilised for special courses for Group and Federation members i.e. Group dynamics, Federation development, dressmaking, bicycle mechanics, fisheries, and so on.
 

Centres

Capacity

Dormitory
 

Courses

Trainees

Capacity

Thakurgaon

 2 50

5 (50 beds)

Kurigram

 3 60

4 (60 beds)

Lalmonirhat

 2 40

4 (40 beds)

Bhurungamari

 2 40

2 (40 beds)

Domar

 2 40

2 (40 beds)

Kaliganj

 2 40

2 (40 beds)

Pirganj

 2 40

2 (40 beds)

Chilmari

 1
20

1 (20 beds)

Panchagarh

 1
20

1 (20 beds)

Tetulia

 1
20

2 20 beds)

Atwari
1
20

2 (20 beds)

Rowmari
1
20

1 (20 beds)

Jaldhaka
1
20

2 (20 beds)
Food

A balanced menu of Bangladeshi food, prepared by experienced cooks, is served according to following schedule in each day.

Breakfast

Tea/snacks

Lunch

Tea/Snacks

Dinner

07:30-08:00 am

10:30-11:00 am

01:00-2:00 pm

04:00-04:30 pm

07:30-08:30 pm
5. ADDITIONAL BENEFITS OF RDRS TRAINING

Field Visits and Practical Demonstration

For most training courses, field visit and practical demonstrations are arranged in nearby RDRS project areas. During such visit, participants are taken to village-based groups to observe their activities. Participants are also encouraged to talk to Group members to relate the subject matter learned in training to the actual situation in the field.

Demonstration Farms

Each training centre has its own demonstration farms e.g. cattle rearing and goat farm, agriculture farm, fish pond etc. For agro-skills training, the trainees visit or are exposed to these farms for practical understanding.

Training Equipment and Materials

Where appropriate, sessions are conducted using modern training equipments. During training audio-visual equipments i.e TV/VCP, slide projector, overhead projector, cassette player etc are utilised. Moreover, flip charts, fact sheet, posters, photo albums and real materials etc are also extensively used to make the training interesting and easy understandable for participants.

Recreation Facilities

All training centres are set in extremely attractive rural surroundings in compact sides with well- kept gardens called the RDRS campus, located on the outskirts of district towns. During training periods participants are encouraged to organise and present culture events in the evening. Musical instruments are provided in each centre.

Reading Materials

RDRS training centres offer libraries consisting of development and other subjects. Daily newspapers and weekly magazines are also provided.

6. FEES, BOOKING ARRANGEMENTS AND FURTHER QUERIES

Fees and Charges

RDRS charges as follows for use of its training facilities by any outside organization:

1. Training at RDRS Training Centres
A.
Board and lodging for trainees/trainers.
 
Food (Breakfast, lunch, dinner, tea & snack) @ Tk. 100.00 per days per person for normal manue and @ Tk. 150.00 per day per person for rich manue (for part day, the charge will be in full, if not notified earlier).
  Overnight accommodation @ Tk 80.00 per night per person.
  Other Points
   
i.
 Time of check in & out will be 17:00 hrs.
   
ii.
Children below 3 years of age accompanying trainees will not be charged. Children over 3 years will be charged @ 50% for food and accommodation.
   
iii.
Children's caretaker below 12 years of age will be charged @ 50% for food and accommodation. Caretaker above 12 years of age will be charged in full.
B.
 Hall/Classroom Rent @ Tk. 500.00 per day per room.
C. OHP/Slide Projector @ Tk. 300.00 per day.
D. Television with VCP @ Tk. 400.00 per day (for single item @ Tk. 200.00 each).
E. Digital Camera @ Tk. 600.00 per day (subject to availability).
F. Multi-media Projector @ Tk. 1,500.00 per day (subject to availability).
G. Service charges and other utilities (electricity, water, support staff) @ Tk 15% of the total expenses of a. and b.
H. Trainer(s) fee:
  If the training is fully conducted by RDRS Trainers, the training fee will be @ Tk. 200,00 per day per trainee.
  If the training is partly conducted by RDRS trainers, the training fee will be charged @ Tk. 1,000.00 per day per trainer.

(Notes: Time of check-in and out to training centres is normally 17:00 hrs.. Children below 3 years accompanying trainees will not be charged. Children over 3 years will be charged @ 50% of the full rate for food and accommodation. Children's caretakers below 12 years of age will be charged @ 50% for food and accommodation. Caretakers above 12 years of age will be charged in full.)

2. Training Outside of RDRS
If the RDRS Trainers or any other professional staff are invited by any outside organization to conduct training/consultancy away from the RDRS Training centres, then RDRS will charged as follows:
a.
All expenses related to food, accommodation, local transport for the trainers/consultants.
b. Training fee Tk. 3,000.00 per day per Trainer.
c. Training materials Tk. 200.00 per person per course.
3. Special Arrangements

On request, special training courses on human development and practical skills development can be organized/conducted for groups of at least 15 participants in any one of the RDRS training centres or at the location of the sponsoring organization. For smaller numbers, participants can take part in RDRS own training schedule.

Admission Procedure

Participants are required to be nominated by their respective organizations/sponsors. Requests should be made at least one month ahead from the date of course commencement.

8. CONTACT

Organizations and individuals interested in RDRS' training are requested to contact: :
Director (Social Development, Advocacy & Training)
RDRS Bangladesh
Jail Road, Dhap, Rangpur
Tel: (PABX) 0521 - 64480; 62863; 62893 Fax: 0521 -62182
Email: ikm@rdrsrangpur.org  
Copyright © 2001 RDRS Bangladesh. All rights reserved.