31(b). Training status

Questions 31(a) to 35 Applies to all persons Fifteen (15) years old and over

This section applies to all persons, fifteen years old and over. The main purpose is to distinguish between persons who have received, attempted or are now receiving special training to fit them for employment, as opposed to those who have not received any training at all.

This information is used by the government and employers to evaluate whether there are enough people with adequate education, training and job skills in particular areas of the work force, with a view to developing training programmes to meet the changing needs of the work force.

Students in primary and secondary schools, youth development and apprenticeship centers, etc. pursuing specialized technical/craft courses as part of their general education should be probed to respond. You should probe especially for the government secondary schools where it is now a regular part of the students' education to obtain training in some craft or trade such as masonry, carpentry, motor mechanics, welding etc.

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Note: "Training can be practical or theoretical under an instructor to acquire a skill or capability to perform a task to some specified standard."

Question 3l(a) - Training attainment

You are required to obtain from the respondent whether or not that person has completed, attempted or is now receiving any special training to fit him/her for employment.

If the response is yes, then go to question 31(b), otherwise skip to question 36.

It is important that you be alert to probe situations where a person is recorded as a Teacher II in question 26 but fails to recognize that his/her University Degree in Science or Arts is a form of training for purposes of this section. This is considered training despite the fact that the person may not have been trained with a Diploma in education. Similar situations may occur in fields such as economics, chemistry, physics, etc. You should be alert to link question 26 and probe.

Note: Some individuals may need clarification on training. For the Census, training is any form of learning how to perform a job, practical or theoretical, whether it is computer programming or laying of blocks as long as the method of instruction is organized and systematic. There must be some type of formal instruction. There is no time limit to the exposure of students to training. Training may consist of a number of stages in a sequence of instructions e.g. learning to lay bricks, plastering, etc. eventually leading up to full certification as a qualified mason when all the stages (modules) in the sequence have been completed.

What is meant is that training need not be total or comprehensive. A modular or step-by-step method is also being considered here.

Question 31(b) - Training status

Obtain from the respondent whether or not he/she has completed, is under-going or has attempted but did not complete any special training.