Kathmandu, July 6

The National Reconstruction Authority (NRA) has introduced Training Operation and Management Manual to transfer particular sets of skills to human resources engaged in post-earthquake reconstruction and rehabilitation activities.

The manual has allowed NRA and its sub-regional offices, private organisations, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and International NGOs to conduct training programmes to enhance capacity and knowledge, or generate awareness. These institutions can also carry out observational and research-based learning programmes to improve skills of human resources.

This initiative, NRA hopes, will churn out human resources capable of rebuilding and rehabilitating infrastructure damaged or destroyed by devastating quakes of April and May, 2015. This initiative is also expected to inject skills required to build back quake-resilient infrastructure.

As per the manual, NRA and its sub-regional offices can use budget allocated to them to outsource works related to training. Such training programmes can also be conducted by private organisations, NGOs and INGOs upon getting permission from NRA or its sub-regional offices.

“However, organisations that have already entered into agreement with NRA to support reconstruction works need not get such permission,” says the manual, adding, “Training programmes can be of short-, medium- or long-term in nature.”

The manual further says priority should be given to youths, single woman, and differently-able, marginalised and deprived people while selecting candidates for the training programme.

Also, organisations should understand the nature of the local job market prior to conducting training workshops so that trainees could easily get placement at the local level upon completion of training.

All training programmes should be conducted as per the curriculum approved by NRA. A five-member committee, formed under an NRA executive director, approves the curriculum.

The manual has given authority to NRA, its sub-regional offices and project implementation units to carry out supervision, monitoring and evaluation of organisations conducting training. NRA can take help of a third-party to perform these tasks.

The manual also envisages formation of a five-member committee under joint secretary of Human Resources Management Division at NRA to conduct supervision, monitoring and evaluation of organisations conducting training workshops at regular intervals. Besides, district coordination committees and sub-committees can also perform these tasks, says the manual.

If training providers fail to deliver desired results, meet standards set by the NRA or conduct training even after getting the permit, then NRA, its sub-regional offices or project implementation unit can scrap permits extended to them.

“NRA can also recommend action if activities of training providers undermine sovereignty and national integrity, disturb social harmony, infringe domestic laws or go against National Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Policy,” says the manual, adding, “Training should not be used as a tool to work against any neighbouring country or other countries. Also, training programmes should not influence people to change religion.”