Fast and focused: CDA revives training academy

Aims at improving service-delivery standards.

ISLAMABAD: City managers have finally paid some attention to the development of its under-performing human resources.

As a first step, after a lapse of 30 years, the Capital Development Authority (CDA) is reviving its training academy – a facility that was established in 1984 but became nonfunctional soon after.

The development came after former member engineering Sanaullah Aman took over the reins of the academy as its executive director general a few days ago.

CDA Chairman Maroof Afzal is due to inaugurate the academy, which was shifted to third floor of the Pak-China Centre recently, on Monday.

“Initially, we will hold short courses related to performance management,” said Sanaullah Aman.



He said that in June, the academy would be offering 10-day long courses in leadership and communication for officers of grade-16 and above.

Aman said later the courses related to project, time and stress management will also be offered.

“For the time being, it’s not mandatory for officers to attend these courses. But in future these training will be made mandatory for departmental promotions,” he said.

The program is being launched with the help of secretariat training institute, Aman said adding experts from other institutes and universities will be involved.

A statement issued by the CDA said, “The aim behind this exercise is to improve professional standards at the authority. The primary objective is to develop and strengthen the human resource [for better service delivery].”

Sanaullah Aman said employees of grade 1 to 16 would also be trained to efficiently deal with their routine office work. “Junior officials will also be educated about the provisions of the CDA Ordinance, important rules and regulations of the CDA, Public Procurement Regulatory Authority rules, record keeping and file management procedures,” he said.



He acknowledged the fact that absence of proper training in different fields had negatively impacted the performance of the agency.

A CDA spokesperson said, “The focus is to help the workforce perform at optimal level and grow professionally.”

Published in The Express Tribune, June 2^nd, 2014.