In 2015, the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) partnered with the Government of Liberia (GoL) to help address the country's insufficient access to reliable and affordable electricity. Under MCC's compact with the GoL, the $202 million Energy Project aims to modernize Liberia's energy network, extend access to electricity, and improve the quality and reliability of the country's power system. MCC has contracted with Mathematica to to conduct impact and performance evaluations of four separate activities and investments. This report outlines the proposed evaluation design of the LEC Training Activity, which aims to improve the technical capacity of the energy sector workforce through improved training for LEC staff and technicians. The LEC Training Activity will apply a train-the-trainer model and will use the facilities available at LEC and the Mount Coffee Hydro Power Plant. LEC will identify employees who will be trained as trainers and will subsequently provide on-the-job training to other LEC staff. The activity also includes the procurement of tools and equipment for training and support for curriculum development. The on-the-job training will focus on technical skills for LEC's engineers and linesmen, and skills related to sales, utility operations, revenue mobilization, and inventory control. Training will also touch upon non-technical skills related to management, occupational health and safety, and customer service. Altogether, the LEC Training Activity is expected to yield a better prepared workforce, able to improve Liberia's electricity quality and reliability, better manage the LEC grid infrastructure, and make more grid connections to help meet Liberia's electricity demand.
Mathematica has proposed a performance evaluation in the form of a qualitative study to assess implementation and performance over time. Mathematica will draw on documentation, site visits, key informant interviews (KIIs), and focus group discussions (FGDs) to answer the evaluation questions.