From Arusha to Bangkok!

Course participants, Arusha, Tanzania

‘Before (the course), I could not differentiate between Supply Chain Capacity Development and Technical Assistance, thinking both terms are the same’ one participant told me after PSA's recent SCCD training course in Arusha, Tanzania.

The training was held in the beautiful Kibo Palace Hotel in Arusha, Tanzania, which had very good facilities with great service from staff as well as having an excellent atmosphere for learning.

The 15 participants came from various countries and different organizations including RTI Envision Uganda and Mozambique; MSH/SCMS - Ethiopia; Pharmacy Council – Tanzania; NTD Control Programme IMA (TZ); ITI – Ethiopia and Atlanta; Christian Social Services Commission Tanzania and Central Medical Stores-Zanzibar. Everyone was fully engaged and able to relate the course material to the situations they face in their everyday work.

Part of the course covers terminology, including the difference between Supply Chain Capacity Development and Technical Assistance. Many people treat them as meaning the same but we recognise an important distinction.

Capacity Development is a longer term process during which individuals, organizations and society acquire and improve the skills and knowledge needed to reach their goals autonomously and on a sustainable basis. Capacity Development can include training but not all Capacity Development involves training.

In contrast, Technical Assistance is about individual(s) performing an expert function on behalf of, or instead of, someone else. So TA is about substituting capacity.

Participants receive course completion certificates

If you want to learn more about Capacity Development to strengthen your organisation’s supply chain then sign up for our next SCCD course to be held in Bangkok, Thailand from 3rd Nov-7th November 2014. Places are limited so don’t hesitate. I look forward to seeing you there.

Click here: SCCD bookings