DIAGNOSIS, PROVISION AND ASSESSMENT OF QUANTITATIVE SKILLS FOR MANAGERS IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT

摘要

Basic numerical and graphical skills give enormous returns and yet are sorely lacking in otherwise highly skilled personnel. Many local government managers find themselves unable to understand or utilise basic tools, such as aggregated indices, run charts, bar charts and histograms. ISRU has developed a sensitive and innovative training programme for Local Government Organisations (LGOs). It is presented as skills updating to avoid confrontation and includes relevant computing (spreadsheet) skills. The programme is aligned to competences recognised for LGOs and this encourages take-up by managers. The need for improved mathematical skills links sector skills councils, improvement charities and education. The Mathematics in Education and Industry (MEI) charity has developed a diagnostic tool which will be piloted in the LGO arena. Training programmes work best with realistic data and examples placed in context. Feedback is vital for continuous improvement and has played a significant role in the development of the programme.