Methods of procurement in overseas training: finding a cost effective way to implement overseas training

Abstract

Education and training are crucial for human resource development. Bangladesh Government has undertaken various initiatives to enhance secondary level education also investing significant funds for overseas training in this respect. This study purpose is to measures a suitable way to implement overseas training in a cost effective way and presents a cost benefit analysis to demonstrate the effectiveness of the suggested approach. Traditionally, projects are relied on consultancy firms to manage overseas training as guided by Development Project Profile (DPP), which proves costly, complex, time-consuming, and often having low training impact. The paper advocates an alternative approach, wherein the Project Director collaborates with an individual consultant or an experienced Project official will implement overseas training, utilizing existing Project logistics. This direct approach of training implementation promises simplicity, efficiency and greater impact at a lower cost. The way of cost effectiveness analysis is made based on three real-life projects data, comparing overseas training cost between consultancy firm-managed and Project Director-managed approaches. The latter one shows a cost advantage of up to 300% in some cases. The study recommends implementing overseas training directly by the Project Director with the help of an individual consultant or an experienced project official is comparatively cost effective way of overseas training implementation. Besides, determination of right training content, right person selection for right training with required minimum qualification, phase wise training implementation will increase the impact of overseas training.