Evaluation of training activities in Abruzzo

The thematic evaluation report on training activities is carried out in the framework of the independent evaluation service of the Abruzzo 2014-2022 Rural Development Programme (RDP) and covers the implementation period from 2020 to 2022.

The thematic report assesses Priority 1 of the RDP (knowledge transfer and innovation in agriculture, forestry and rural areas) and focuses on the training interventions under the AKIS Abruzzo strategy.

The main objectives of the evaluation are to review the implementation of Measure 1.1 and its effectiveness, assessing: the procedural process of the training interventions; the effective participation in the training courses; the reasons for the non-use of vouchers, the objectives pursued by the course attendees; the judgments on the training carried out; the possibility of using the skills/knowledge acquired; and the importance attributed to training.

A mixed approach was used, based on information collected through a direct 'CAWI' survey and on what emerged from the meeting organised with the witnesses of the intervention; secondary data come from the annual evaluation reports (it. RAV) for the years 2020-2022 and administrative data.

The main indicator-types used are CMEF indicators and other specific indicators defined by evaluators.

The evaluation questions are as follows:

1. Have the training interventions achieved and satisfied the potential demand for knowledge expressed by the agricultural/forestry sector?
2. What measures and actions contribute to expanding the range of formats and the quality of training?

The evaluation concluded that the training interventions reached and satisfied the potential demand for knowledge expressed by the agricultural/forestry sector.

Although the demand satisfaction rate is currently just under 6%, the overall assessment of the training received by those who have benefited is extremely positive and specifically so in terms of the professionalism of the teachers, the interest in the course content and the usefulness of the knowledge acquired, which three-quarters of the respondents say they have already actually used, one or more times.

Training affected the most dynamic part of agriculture, especially when viewed from a subjective perspective: trainees are, in general, younger than average regional business owners and have higher educational attainment. The farms from which those trained come are larger than average and more oriented toward arable crops, olive growing and other livestock.

The educational offer is broad and interesting, and the range of training offered by training providers has been wide and varied, but it is interesting to note that the main motivation for respondents to undergo training is primarily the need to comply with regulations, followed, at a great distance, by the goal of expanding the range of products/services.

Regarding measures and arrangements to expand the pool of trained people and improve training quality, the analysis highlights: the training received proved useful; the course dropout rate is less than 4%. After the training activity, in more than 40% of the cases, contact was maintained with subjects who attended during the course for information, advice, or projects of interest to the company.

For upcoming training activities, there is much interest in the subjects of climate change, traceability, animal welfare, soil and water management, and digital technologies with respect to organisational arrangements, there is a clear preference for field activities, but no opposition in principle to remote activities.