Bulgaria – Serbia European Union IPA Cross-border Programme CCI No 2007CB16IPO006 BUILDING AN EFFECTIVE SYSTEM OF TRAINING PROJECT CONTRACT: №. РД‐02‐29‐355/01.11.2013 PROJECT: №. 2007CB16IPO006‐2011‐2‐18 ИЗГРАДЊА ЕФЕКТИВНОГ СИСТЕМА ОБУКЕ ИЗГРАЖДАНЕ НА ЕФЕКТИВНА СИСТЕМА ЗА ОБУЧЕНИЕ STUDY TRAINING NEEDS ASSESSMENT ANALYSIS TRGOVIŠTE /TRAN MAY/JUNE 2014 ”This publication has been produced with the assistance of the European Union through the Cross‐Border Programme CCI No 2007CB16IPO006. The contents of this publication are the sole responsibility of project partners (Municipality of Trgovište and Municipality of Tran) and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the European Union or the Managing Authority of the Programme”. "The project is co-funded by EU trough the Bulgaria – Serbia IPA Cross-border Programme”. PUBLISHER BUILDING AN EFFECTIVE SYSTEM OF TRAINING PROJECT CONTRACT: №. РД‐02‐29‐355/01.11.2013 PROJECT: №. 2007CB16IPO006‐2011‐2‐18 MUNICIPALITY OF TRGOVIŠTE Address : Kralja Petra I Karađorđevića №.4. 17525 Trgovište. Republic of Serbia Tel +38117452207 Fax +38117452709 E‐mail: [email protected] MUNICIPALITY OF TRAN STUDY Address : 1 Vlado Trichkov Sq. 2460 Tran. Republic of Bulgaria TRAINING NEEDS ASSESSMENT ANALYSIS Tel.: +35977319616 Fax.: +359884898902 E‐mail :[email protected] Web site: http://www.tran.bg/ 1. Milorad Nikolić, Project manager 2. Marija Jordanović, Project coordinator Serbia 3. Marija Spasić, Financial Manager EDITORIAL TEAM 4. Ekaterina Cvetanova, Project coordinator Bulgaria 5. Evgeniя Takova, Training coordinator 6. Zaharina Zaharieva, Accountant 7. Consultant: Pergament Zrenjanin TRGOVIŠTE MUNICIPALITY TRAN MUNICIPALITY Kralja Petra I Karađorđevića №.4. 17525 Trgovište Republic of Serbia 1 Vlado Trichkov Sq. 2460 Tran Republic of Bulgaria Tel.:+38117452207 Tel.:+35977319616 Fax.:+38117452709 Fax.:+359884898902 E‐mail:[email protected] E‐mail :[email protected] 2 Content Abbreviations 4. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 5. 1. INTRODUCTION 6. 1.1. Background information 6. 1.1.1. Bulgaria – Serbia IPA Cross Border Programme 6. 1.1.2. Project Building an Effective System of Training 10. 1.2. Training Needs Assessment Objectives 12. 2. METHODOLOGY 13. 2.1 Needs Assessment Analysis 13. 2.2. Target Groups 16. 3. SOCIO‐ECONOMIC PROFILES 17. 3.1. Pernik District 17. 3.2. Pčinja District 19. 4. TRAINING NEEDS ASSESSMENT ANALYSIS 22. 4.1. Institutional Assessment 22. 4.2. Assessment of Training participants 27. 4.2.1 Characteristics of Respondents 27. 4.2.2. Training Attitudes and Training Priorities 31. 4.3. Recommendations 37. ANNEXES 39. Annex 1: Questionnaires 40. 3 ABBREVIATIONS AP Action Plan BG Bulgaria CARDS EU Community Assistance (Programme) for Reconstruction, Development and Stabilisation CBC Cross‐border Cooperation CfP Call for Proposals CSO Civil Society organisation EAR European Agency for Reconstruction EC European Commission ERDF European Regional Development Fund EU European Union GfA Guidelines for Applicants IPA Instrument for Pre‐Accession Assistance IPA CBC BG R Bulgaria‐Serbia IPA Cross‐Border Programme ISPA Instrument for Structural Policies for Pre‐Accession JTS Joint Technical Secretariat JSPF Joint Small Projects Fund K/S/A Knowledge, Skills and Attitudes LG / LSG Local Government / Local Self‐Government LCB Local Capacity Building MA Managing Authority MIP Multi‐Annual Indicative Programme MIPD Multi‐Annual Indicative Planning Document NA National Authority NAA Needs Assessment Analysis NGO Non‐Governmental Organisation NP Neighbourhood Programme PCM Project Cycle Management PHARE Pologne, Hungrie Assistance a la Reconstruction Economique PP Project Partner PRAG Practical Guide for contract procedures financed from the General Budget of the European Union in the context of external actions RDA Regional Development Agency SEIO Serbian European Integration Office SME Small and Medium Enterprise SR Serbia SF Structural Funds SWOT Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats TP Thematic Priority Bulgaria – Serbia IPA Cross Border Programme 2014‐2020 ToR Terms of Reference TNA Training needs assessment UNDP United Nation Development Programme WP Work Plan 4 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Training Needs Assessment (TNA) Study summarizes the findings of a comprehensive training needs assessment for further development of capacities at regional level in Pernik and Pcinja Districts. TNA is conducted in 14 municipalities in Pernik and Pcinja Districts with the participation 30 respondents who participated in various stages of the research. TNA Study is a document created for project BEST and it is used for successful planning and training for project cycle management (PCM) and IPA CBC BG SR. TNA determines existing capacities and needs of the target groups. TNA is intended for the decision‐makers in the institutions and organizations involved in the project and a larger group of beneficiaries interested in successful planning and execution of the training module regarding project cycle management. Execution of Training Needs Assessment Analysis and training development based on gathered information is the initial activity regarding qualification of employees of municipal administration in cross‐border municipalities of Pcinja and Pernik districts in effective preparation and implementation of joint projects within IPA CBC BG SR. The purpose of a TNA is to provide identification of existing knowledge and skills of target groups, analysis of gaps in knowledge and skills, conclusions on key needs in relation to the thematic areas in order to provide a basis for designing training program. Specifically for project BEST, purpose of the TNA is to collect information on the current state of knowledge and skills of the employees in the municipal administration in the cross‐border districts of Pcinja and Pernik in the thematic areas: IPA Project development and appraisal; Contracting Procedures; Tendering (PRAG and Secondary Procurement); EU Requirements for Financial Management and project Monitoring and evaluation. The process of training needs assessment had the following objectives: 1. To identify the current Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities gaps of target groups and provide detailed information on the training needs for further development of capacities at regional level for each beneficiary groups 2. To outline recommendations for addressing training needs within priority areas; 3. To provide curricula content guidance and map out the scope of a future training system. The needs assessment is the first step in the establishment of a training and development Program. It is used as the foundation for determining instructional objectives, the selection and design of instructional programs, the implementation of the programs and the evaluation of the training provided. These processes form a continuous cycle which always begins with a needs assessment. An assessment process that serves as a diagnostic tool for determining what training needs to take place. This survey gathers data to determine what training needs to be developed to help individuals and the organization accomplish their goals and objectives. This is an assessment that looks at employee and organizational knowledge, skills, and abilities, to identify any gaps or areas of need. Effective TNA involves systematic planning, analysis and coordination across the organization, to ensure that organizational priorities are taken into account, that duplication of effort is avoided and economies of scale are achieved. On the basis of the needs assessment, an outline training proposal is developed. This proposal will form the basis of Terms of Reference to be drafted for a forthcoming Request for Proposals from training providers. 5 1. INTRODUCTION 1.1. Background information 1.1.1. Bulgaria – Serbia IPA Cross Border Programme The Instrument for Pre‐Accession Assistance (IPA) is the Community's financial instrument for the pre‐ accession process for the period 2007‐2013. Assistance is provided on the basis of the European Partnerships of the potential candidate countries and the Accession Partnerships of the candidate countries, which means the Western Balkan countries and Turkey. The IPA is intended as a flexible instrument and therefore provides assistance which depends on the progress made by the beneficiary countries and their needs as shown in the Commission's evaluations and annual strategy papers. The IPA was designed so as to address the needs of the beneficiary countries within the context of pre‐accession in the most appropriate way. Its main aim is to support institution‐building and the rule of law, human rights, including the fundamental freedoms, minority rights, gender equality and non‐discrimination, both administrative and economic reforms, economic and social development, reconciliation and reconstruction, and regional and cross‐border cooperation. To ensure targeted, effective and coherent action, the IPA is made up of five components: Transition Assistance and Institution Building; Cross border Cooperation Regional Development; Human Resources Development and Rural Development. Cross‐border cooperation is crucial for stability, cooperation and economic development in border regions. The aim of EU assistance is to develop local capacity in relation to cross‐border cooperation in the beneficiaries' border regions while also targeting specific local development projects. Development of cross‐border cooperation is dependent on capacity building activities of the relevant local and central authorities.