The use of economic indicators in the evaluation of training projects for informal workers in Kenya

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• 1. Introduction
• 1.1 The Importance of the Informal Sector in Kenya
• 1.2 The Kenyan Economy
• 1.3 Institutional Support for the Informal Sector
• 1.4 The Jua Kali Sector and its Challenges
• 2. Supporting the Informal Sector Through Education
• 3. Government Policies and Initiatives
• 4. The Evolution of Government Policies

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This paper evaluates a training program for Jua Kali artisans in Kenya, focusing on its impact on production, investment, and institutional capacity building. The evaluation uses data from a training program funded by the EU Micro-Enterprise Support Program. The goal is to assess the effectiveness of the training program using indicators proposed by the donor, while also considering the limitations of these indicators and the need for broader socioeconomic indicators.

• The role of the informal sector in Kenya's economy.
• The effectiveness of training programs for informal workers.
• The challenges of measuring the impact of training programs.
• Government policies and initiatives to support the informal sector.
• The evolution of government policies towards the informal sector.

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

1. Introduction: This introductory chapter establishes the significance of Kenya's informal sector, particularly the Jua Kali sector, in the national economy. It highlights the government's focus on human development and institutional capacity building within this sector to foster competitiveness and alleviate poverty. The chapter introduces the challenges in evaluating training programs for Jua Kali artisans, emphasizing the limitations of donor-proposed indicators that primarily focus on final production and investment, neglecting crucial aspects like institutional capacity building. It also provides context by outlining the characteristics of the Kenyan economy, its dependence on agriculture, and the challenges posed by fluctuating global commodity prices and reliance on imported energy. The chapter further touches upon the early stages of Kenya's industrial sector and its debt problem, which significantly impact economic development. The inherent challenges within the informal sector, such as instability, quality control, and technology adoption, are also discussed, setting the stage for a detailed examination of training programs and government interventions.

2. Supporting the Informal Sector Through Education: This chapter explores the early attempts to support Kenya's informal sector through educational reforms. It traces the evolution of educational policies from the ILO Report of 1972, which emphasized self-employment, to the subsequent National Committee on Educational Policies and Objectives and the Presidential Working Party on Education and Manpower Training. These initiatives aimed to equip Kenyans with practical skills and entrepreneurial abilities, thereby promoting self-employment within the informal sector. The chapter highlights the shift towards a more skill-based education system, with a specific focus on linking school skills to larger technology and enterprise policies. It emphasizes the crucial role of education in fostering self-reliance and enhancing the contribution of the informal sector to national development. The integration of skill-based training and entrepreneurial development within the educational system is presented as a key approach to empower informal workers.

3. Government Policies and Initiatives: This chapter delves into the government's evolving policies toward the informal sector, showing a transition from initial attempts to integrate the informal sector into the formal economy to a recognition of its unique characteristics and potential. It highlights the Sessional Paper No. 1 of 1986, which marked a crucial turning point, placing the informal sector at the heart of employment, technology, and investment policies. This chapter analyzes the shift in government approach, moving from attempting to absorb the informal sector into the formal sector to acknowledging its inherent value and its potential for independent growth and contribution to the national economy. The chapter showcases the significant policy changes that acknowledge the informal sector's comparative advantages and the subsequent efforts to support its development through targeted interventions.

4. The Evolution of Government Policies: This chapter continues the exploration of Kenya's government policies towards the Jua Kali sector, focusing on the period where the sector was recognized as the engine of the Kenyan economy. The chapter outlines the policy framework established by Sessional Paper No. 2 of 1992, which emphasized direct assistance, skill upgrading, transition to medium-size enterprises, and access to credit. The chapter further examines the subsequent Sessional Paper No. 2 of 1996, which outlined strategies for industrial transformation and the role of Jua Kali as a key player in job creation and skill development. The chapter also touches upon a 1997 stakeholder workshop that reviewed existing policies and identified key areas for intervention. Through this chronological progression, the chapter illustrates how government policy evolved toward the informal sector, highlighting the shift from initial integration attempts to dedicated support for its growth and development.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

Informal sector, Jua Kali, Kenya, training programs, economic development, poverty alleviation, institutional capacity building, government policies, education, entrepreneurship, skill development, technology adoption, evaluation, impact assessment.

FAQ: Evaluation of a Training Program for Jua Kali Artisans in Kenya

What is the main topic of this document?

This document provides a comprehensive overview of a research paper evaluating a training program for Jua Kali artisans in Kenya. It includes the table of contents, objectives, key themes, chapter summaries, and keywords. The focus is on the impact of the training program on production, investment, and institutional capacity building within the informal sector.

What is the Jua Kali sector?

The Jua Kali sector refers to the informal sector in Kenya, characterized by small-scale enterprises and self-employment. It plays a significant role in Kenya's economy.

What are the key objectives of the research paper?

The research paper aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a training program for Jua Kali artisans, assessing its impact on production, investment, and institutional capacity building. It utilizes data from a program funded by the EU Micro-Enterprise Support Program and considers both the donor-proposed indicators and the need for broader socioeconomic indicators.

What are the key themes explored in the research paper?

The key themes include the role of the informal sector in Kenya's economy, the effectiveness of training programs for informal workers, the challenges of measuring the impact of such programs, government policies and initiatives to support the informal sector, and the evolution of these policies over time.

What does the introduction chapter cover?

The introduction establishes the importance of the Jua Kali sector in Kenya's economy, highlighting the government's focus on human development and institutional capacity building. It discusses the challenges of evaluating training programs, particularly the limitations of relying solely on donor-proposed indicators, and provides context on the Kenyan economy, its challenges, and the inherent difficulties within the informal sector.

What is discussed in the chapter on supporting the informal sector through education?

This chapter traces the evolution of educational policies aimed at supporting the informal sector, from early attempts emphasizing self-employment to the development of skill-based education systems linking school skills to larger technology and enterprise policies. It highlights the role of education in fostering self-reliance and enhancing the contribution of the informal sector to national development.

What are the main points covered in the chapter on government policies and initiatives?

This chapter analyzes the government's evolving policies toward the informal sector, showing a shift from integrating the informal sector into the formal economy to recognizing its unique characteristics and potential. It highlights key policy documents and the changing approach from absorption to dedicated support for the informal sector's independent growth.

What does the chapter on the evolution of government policies detail?

This chapter continues the exploration of government policies, focusing on the period where the Jua Kali sector was recognized as a crucial engine of the Kenyan economy. It outlines policy frameworks emphasizing direct assistance, skill upgrading, transition to medium-size enterprises, and access to credit, highlighting the evolution of government support for the sector.

What are the key words associated with this research paper?

Key words include: Informal sector, Jua Kali, Kenya, training programs, economic development, poverty alleviation, institutional capacity building, government policies, education, entrepreneurship, skill development, technology adoption, evaluation, and impact assessment.

Where can I find the full research paper?

The full research paper is not included in this document, which serves as a preview.

What is the target audience of this preview?

This preview is intended for academic use, allowing for the analysis of themes within the research paper in a structured and professional manner.