Training and Development
Training, Education and Communication are essential pillars of PPLCI’s operation as a microfinance. The Training and Research Department constantly develops training materials and education materials that help PPLCI staff in their functions whether in field operations or as support staff.
In a year, numerous training events are conducted to keep Pagasa’s staff and clients updated in microfinance trends, emerging industry issues, and general overarching social and and economic impetus that affects the company’s operations.
These are delivered through four main training activities:
- Pre-Service Orientation (PSO) – for incoming Development Officers (DO) and Group Coordinators (GC) to introduce microfinance concepts, the ASA Methodology, the company (history and roots) and general guidelines on operations. PSO runs for 2-3 days with 8 days on-the job training in the field offices.
- Refresher Courses – for Development Officers (DO), Assistant Branch Managers (ABM), Branch Managers (BM), Regional Managers (RM), Assistant Division Managers (ADM). Microfinance practice requires continuous learning. Refresher courses facilitates this process by engaging them into unlearing and relearning new concepts and strategies that will help them in the field operations.
- Group Leaders’ Training – since our operation heavily rely on our Group Leaders who assist our staff in organizing and leading groups, Pagasa has taken an initiative to train Group Leaders become effective in their tasks as community leaders. Concepts of grouping and sub-grouping, leadership, financial literacy, solidarity-building and the like are discussed among the GLs every twice a year.
Research and Knowledge Management
Aside from training, Pagasa is also focused on developing tools, writing cases, and research materials that are used as sources of knowledge, guidance and inspiration in decision-making and operations of the company. Recently, the Social Performance Management Unit (SPM) under the Training and Research Department has implemented various research activities such as Client and Staff Satisfaction Survey and Client Economic Yield. Gap Analysis, Industry Review and Annual Review are also conducted. With the assistance of the IT Department, data from Pagasa’s very own IT system is harnessed to help the operation in analyzing risks, potentials of expansion and other valuable insights into the overall direction of the company.