Ex-post Evaluation

• Country : Indonesia
• Project title : The Project for the National Vocational Rehabilitation Centre for Disabled People
• Issue/Sector : Vocational Training
• Cooperation scheme : Technical Cooperation
• Section in charge : Social Development Department
• Total Cost : 987 million yen
• Period of Cooperation : 20.12.1997 – 19.12.2002
• Partner Country's Implementing Organization: Ministry of Social Affair
  Ministry of Labor Force
• Supporting Organizations in Japan : Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare
• Related Cooperation :
  Technical Cooperation for Project Type: Solo National Rehabilitation Center(1995.12-1997.12)
  Long Term Expert (Ministry of Social Affairs)
  Grant Aid : Establishment of NVRC (1996)

1-1 Background of the Project

According to WHO, 10 percent of Indonesia population is disabled. In Indonesia, people with disability (PWD) have equal position, right and obligation to participate in nation development. The participation of PWD in economic and education field is a part of government efforts to improve the PWD's welfare. The strong commitment of the government to the PWD was proved by establishing the National Vocational Rehabilitation Centre (NVRC) at Cibinong, West Java in 1997 as a symbol of friendship and cooperation between the Government of Indonesia and the Government of Japan.

NVRC is planned to be the center of center in the field of vocational rehabilitation for PWD. NVRC was constructed in 1996-1997 by Japanese Grant Aid program. This grant was used to build facilities and infrastructures of NVRC. Based on the preliminary results of NVRC operation, in 1997, the Government of Indonesia requested Japan for implementation of a project-type technical cooperation aiming at training the personnel involved in the operation of NVRC. In response to the request, on December 1997, the Japanese Government commenced five-year project-type cooperation. This project initiated with the purpose of establishing a vocational rehabilitation system in NVRC.

1-2 Project Overview

The mission of NVRC is to develop and improve vocational rehabilitation system in Indonesia which will support persons with physical disabilities to become socially and economically independent by obtaining a job. In order to achieve the goal, vocational training is provided for those with physical disabilities to improve their capabilities so that they may find a suitable employment according to their aptitudes and abilities.

The NVRC activities are mainly in vocational rehabilitation, training, and research and development. Vocational rehabilitation services are conducted whole year round. The services include recruitment and assessment, vocational training and re-socialization and after care. Recruitment and assessment is conducted to recruit eligible and adequate participants suitable for advanced vocational training. Vocational training consists of sewing, printing, computer, electronics and metal working. While re-socialization and aftercare activities include on the job training, placement, and follow up. In the placement process, NVRC helps and assists the graduate to find a job. While, aftercare is conducted for evaluating and monitoring NVRC graduates in the work places.

(1) Overall Goal

The project is aimed at promoting the employment for disabled people. The achievement of this goal can be measured by the increasing number of PWD who received vocational rehabilitation, and the increasing number of PWD who are employed.

(2) Project Purpose

The project purpose of NVRC project is "vocational system is established in the National Vocational Rehabilitation Center for Disabled People."

(3) Project Outputs

• The organization and functions of NVRC are established
• Recruitment and selection system and job placement are established in wide areas
• Vocational training is strengthened
• The skills of staff of social welfare institutes etc. are improved
• Function of Research and Development (R&D) is established

(4) Inputs

Members of Evaluation Team:

• JICA Indonesia Office (consigned to the local consultant PT. Mitrapasific Consulindo International⁄PT.MCI)
• Agus Wahyu Darmayanto ⁄PT. MCI
  Endang Pipin Tachyan⁄PT. MCI
  Abdurrachim.Suramihardja .⁄ PT. MCI

Period of Evaluation:

December 2005 – February 2006

Type of Evaluation:

Ex-post Evaluation

3-1 Summary of Evaluation Results

(1) Impact

As previously mentioned, the overall goal of NVRC project is "promoting the employment for disabled people through the establishment of vocational rehabilitation system in Republic Indonesia". And, the indicators used to measure the achievement overall goal include (i) number of disabled people who received vocational rehabilitation increases and (ii) number of disabled people who are employed increases

The evaluation results show that NVRC has contributed significantly to the achievement of overall goal. The number of PWD who received vocational rehabilitation has increased. At the time of project termination (2002), the number of NVRC graduates was 435 persons, while by the time of ex-post evaluation (2005), this number has increased to 732 person.

Figure 1. Number of graduates, applicants, and trainees of NVRC

Although the number of PWD trained remains stable, NVRC can serve almost half of provinces in Indonesia. In the year of 2003, participants came from 15 provinces, while for 2004 and 2005, participants came from 19 and 15 provinces respectively

Second indicator of the overall goal is "number of PWD employed increases". In the last three years, the number of NVRC graduates working in companies tended to increase. For instance, in 2003, the number of NVRC graduates employed are 49 persons, this number increase in the following years (69 persons in year 2004 and 66 persons in year 2005). On the other hand, the number of NVRC graduates self-employed tended to decrease. The increase of graduates employed by companies was caused by the increased demand from companies and also due to obligation of companies to hire PWD at least 1 percent from total employees as mandated by government regulation. From this perspective, it can be concluded that the NVRC has contributed to the increase of PWD employed.

(2) Sustainability

The government has declared and acted several regulations for promoting the employment of PWD. One of the regulations is that "companies has obligation to employ PWD at least 1 person from every 100 employees". By this regulation, it is expected that the PWD employment will increase.

After the project terminated, NVRC still operates and conducts training for PWD. Technology transfer is maintained and updated. NVRC management continues to update the technology of personal computers and its software. Technical staff will repair machine as long as they can handle problems and spare parts are available

The government of Indonesia has strengthened the NVRC status by putting it into the organization of MOSA (Ministry of Social Affairs), especially under the Directorate General of Service and Social Rehabilitation. The government has secured the NVRC existence by putting NVRC activities in the National Action Plan (RAN) of MOSA for the period of 2004 – 2013. Based on the RAN, the function and capacity of NVRC will be expanded.

In the last three years NVRC budget has increased. While most of this budget was allocated for vocational training, while the budget for maintenance and human resource development was limited. By a limited budget, NVRC was not able to optimally maintain the procured equipments. The income generating activities promoted by NVRC are not enough to satisfy additional budget requirements. In the future, the budget for training material and equipment maintenance including the cost of spare parts has to be sufficiently allocated and the PWD employment has to be secured.

3-2 Factors that have promoted the project

The government of Indonesia, in the last ten years, has established regulations to provide more opportunities for PWD. The law number 4⁄1997 regarding Disabled People regulates that PWD has equal right in law and job opportunities. This law also regulates the obligation of companies and government institutions to employ 1 PWD in every 100 employees. Another factor that promoted impact and sustainability is the appreciation of companies on NVRC. The discipline and hardworking attitudes of NVRC graduates have been encouraging their colleagues to improve their motivation to work. The appreciation of community toward PWD ability has improved the self confidence of PWD to participate in the competition for employment.

3.3. Factors that have inhibited the project

Although the government has established regulations for PWD, the enforcement of those regulations has not been optimal. This weakness resulted in low growth in the companies' number that employed PWD. The long economic crisis hampered Indonesia and caused shrinkage in job opportunities. Although industries start to grow, this growth has not balanced with the growth of labor forces.

For NVRC, limited budget from the government has resulted in difficulties in maintaining equipments and facilities procured. Unavailability of spare parts at local market also had negative impact on maintenance, repair or replacement of the broken equipments.

Due to limited capacity of NVRC, the contribution on improving skill of PWD is relatively small as compared to the number of PWD who should be serviced. The government planned to increase the capacity of NVRC and its networking with other RCs. In order to secure employment, NVRC has coordinated and networked with private companies and governmental institutions. However, this coordination and networking were rather weak and have to be strengthened in the future.

Furthermore, as some of trained counterparts have been assigned to other institutions, this caused the NVRC suffering the lack of trained staff especially trainers.

3-4 Conclusions

NVRC has contributed significantly to the achievement of overall goal. The number of PWD who received vocational rehabilitation has increased. After project terminated, the legal position of NVRC is stronger than it was in project era. Institutionally, NVRC is under the jurisdiction of Ministry of Social Affair. From the policy perspectives, the government has strong commitment to improve the welfare of PWD. The strong position and policy support make the activities of NVRC secured. However, limited government budget became main inhibiting factor to hamper NVRC from optimal operation.

3-5 Recommendations

For executing agency in Indonesia:

• Since the job placement for NVRC graduates involves several other sectors, MOSA has to work hand in hand with other ministries especially Ministry of Health and Ministry of Labor Force. In the past, the three ministers have signed the memorandum of understanding (MOU) about rehabilitation and job placement for PWD. The implementation of this policy has not been effective because it required the NVRC to handle the program from assessment till job placement. In the future, each responsible institution has to participate in promoting employment for PWD.
• The act on Disabled People has regulated the obligation of companies to employ PWD. In the implementation, companies' awareness on this obligation has to be fostered. It is recommended that MOSA and Ministry of Labor Force have to be more active in socializing this act including the law enforcement for the companies or governmental institutions which refused or were reluctant to employ PWD.
• After the project terminated, the activeness of NVRC depends heavily on the government budget. Due to the increasing demand of NVRC activities and operational budget for maintenance of equipments, facilities and spare parts, the government needs to secure a sufficient budget to support NVRC activities.
• Due to the limited capacity of NVRC in PWD rehabilitation, the establishment of PIPRV (Information Center for Vocational Rehabilitation) should be fostered. Through this establishment, the assessment and job placement can be conduced at regional centers. The expected impact from PIPRV establishment is that PWD can get job not only in JABOTABEK area, but also in other areas in Indonesia.

5-2 Lessons Learnt

• Some of the equipments procured by the project are out of order and can not be repaired due to unavailability of spare parts at local market. In the future, the procurements of equipment should take into consideration the availability of spare parts at local market, so that the local technicians can repair or replace it by themselves.
• Assumptions should be monitored and evaluated on regular basis, because the evidence showed that any change in the assumptions will impact the achievement of the overall goals. Modification of the assumptions should be made when the conditions did not match with assumptions. Through these efforts, it is expected that the expected output can be achieved.
• Knowledge level, current capabilities and cultural background of human resources should be considered when designing the project. The experience showed that the sophisticated equipments were not optimally utilized because of limiting capability of local staff.
• Sustainability of the project outcomes should be taken into consideration, even in the early stage of the project implementation. Continuity in leadership, management and appropriateness of the staff assigned are also prerequisites to sustainability.