To address the training needs of the Department, the training program aims to provide the appropriate training to the right people, at the right place, and at the right time. 

 

In terms of Information Technology (IT) Training Program, before 2002, the Department has only six (6) IT training courses in its Annual Training Calendar.  In 2002 this was significantly increased to 32 and again raised to 35 in 2003 in view of the upcoming use and implementation of IT-enabled applications as part of the reforms that the Department is undertaking. 

 

Moreover, in 2004, as a concrete response to Secretary Soriquez’ key policy direction on the maximum use of Information Technology -and taking into account that IT supports the other key policies like fast tracking of projects, transparency and accountability- the MIS increased to more than double the number of calendared IT training for the year 2004. 

 

The MIS-IT Training Section has 64 calendared general IT courses on MS Office Applications (MS Windows, MS Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint, MS Outlook), Networking and Internet covering all levels of position, i.e. from top executives to rank and file.  In addition to these, there are also trainings on Computer Aided Design (CAD), Geographical Information System (GIS).

 

The Applications Development Division is also conducting trainings for the different in-house developed applications like the Documents Tracking System (DoTS), Personnel Information System (PIS), and Executive Information System (ExIS) to systems end-users.

 

With the completion of the Wide Area Network in 15 Regional Offices (ROs) and 52 Pilot District Engineering Offices (DEOs), corresponding trainings were also given to Network and System Administrators and Regional IT Help Desk Officers.  MIS home-based personnel handle these trainings even as they themselves continue to receive ongoing training and updating. 

 

To demonstrate the seriousness of the DPWH leadership in pushing for the use of Information Technology, the two-part IT Training for Executives has been conducted from March to July 2004 to all Regional, Bureau, Service and Assistant Regional Directors. Aside from the original 8 classes, three (3) remedial classes were conducted to ensure that all Executives concerned have taken and completed the said training.

 

The IT Training on Networking, MS Outlook and Internet Proficiency for Middle Managers has been conducted since 2003. In 2004 this was increased to 10 batches at the Central Office alone.  The most signicant increase was in the number of introductory IT course (Introduction to IT, MS Windows and MS Word) intended for rank and file employees who have little or zero knowledge and skill on computer operations.  This 5-day training was tripled from last year’s figure of six to 18 batches this year, accommodating 20 to 22 participants per batch.

 

This relentless effort to create a 100% IT literate workforce is not confined to the Central office alone.  The Regional IT Training continues to be conducted and modified according to the Department’s thrust.  As of August 2004, the MIS-IT Training Section has conducted Regional IT Training in 12 Regional Offices totaling to 12 batches of 20 participants per batch for “Introduction to IT, MS Windows and MS Word” and 20 batches for “Concept of Networking and MS Outlook for Middle Managers” with an average of 20 participants in every batch.

 

The eagerness for IT Training among the Department’s executives, middle managers, and rank and file employees in the Central and Regional Offices is noteworthy.  In all the IT Trainings conducted by the MIS, there is always an appeal for more and longer IT trainings.  What is truly inspiring for the MIS in relation to IT Training is to see that the training participants’ enthusiasm actually gets translated into actual use when they go back to their workplace.  For example, after the IT Training for Executives, most of them started using the email facility of the Department in their correspondence.  Another remarkable observation is that the “IT fever” has contaminated even the more senior –in terms of age- personnel of the Department.  The IT training for most is like a return to the sense of wonder that one experiences as a child, marveling at the amazing features and capabilities of IT as shapes, colors and movements burst out of the computer screen. After successfully completing an IT course, the faces of participants born before the computer age glimmer with a sense of victory at having befriended –if not conquered-- what before seemed like a formidable tool.   Even if back pains and blurred vision gets in the way once in while, the participants will always makes a way to overcome the odds.  And truly, the higher the price one pays, the sweeter indeed is the fruit.

 

The feedbacks and observations gathered in every IT Training proves that the increase in IT Literacy among DPWH personnel has led to a growing appreciation of its benefits, usefulness and value in the Department’s advancement.  It is apparent that the benefits derived from these IT trainings surely go beyond the mere acquisition of new skills; it also rekindled enthusiasm for one’s work and ignited a sense of renewed hope in the transformation of DPWH into a well-respected government agency with a workforce that embodies a culture of professionalism and excellence. As the DPWH carries out Secretary Soriquez’ key thrusts, and as it continues with the implementation of the Department’s IT-enabled reform projects, the IT training of its human resource will surely continue to be among its training priority.