Finding curriculum

The Past Week: 09.03.07 � 09.08.07

� Evaluate each organization’s curriculum in Delhi and Jaipur

This goal was partially completed in that I was able to evaluate one organization’s personality development curriculum, two organizations’ English curricula, and another’s course in retail. The organizations’ course curricula that I was unable to see were those whose courses were not being held while I was in the area or who didn’t want me to sit in their courses (for fear of competition).

Despite not being able to see as many course curricula or courses in implementation as I would have liked, I made great contacts. In terms of contacts, I met someone who works at a major restaurant chain and is willing to create a general training guide for me. I also met a placement consultant who is willing to post an ad for trainers for me without taking a percentage cut for her services. Because she likes the cause for which I’m working, she gladly took this responsibility on herself. She is even willing to interview candidates for me, and given her background and professional experience, I have faith in her judgment. Lastly, given her professional field, she knows people in the industries I’m interested in who can create curriculum.

Lastly, based on talking to the aforementioned persons as well as HR executives at corporate retailers and restaurant chains, I think more important than the vocational training will be the confidence the students gain from the personality development and English modules and the trainer’s teaching style. While I still hope to make the course in retail or hospitality the best that it can be, I know that it is the personality development and spoken English curricula, as well as the trainer’s personality and pedagogical style that will make the most impact.

Based on my visit, I have a better grasp of what private companies want and how to go about preparing young rural people to fit the desired profile. Without having had to evaluate each training institute’s course, I’ve found other sources that can provide curriculum and whose knowledge of industry may be better than the people and institutes who I was looking to before for assistance.