Software Industry Dev. Support

closed

This nonreimbursable technical cooperation seeks to improve the competitiveness of Costa Rica's software industry. The three program components are: a) education, to strengthen the labor supply to the industry be redefining curricula, providing appropriate training for education personnel, and designing and adapting modern training techniques; b) quality, to introduce quality management systems and strengthen the domestic market for training, technical assistance, and auditing of quality control systems; andc) providing the Chamber of Information Processing Applications (CAPROSOFT) with the tools to become a leadership institution. The education component funds five main activities: a) a study of the industry's changing human resource needs and the existing and potential supply of professional and technical education; b) a curriculum review to overcome shortcomings detected during the first activity and modernization of school programs (technical schools, para-university, graduate, and post-graduate) by drawing upon examples of best practice; c) development and implementation of a program for training trainers, especially in the area of technical training; d) design and supply of systems for implementing new teaching methods; and e) increasing women's participation in the sector by designing and introducing gender equity promotion programs for female information technology students. The quality component funds three activities: a) a training program for providers of advisory and quality control training services to the software industry; b) a program for the transfer of technology that introduces quality standards in software firms; and c) the fostering of a "quality culture" by creating a Software Process Improvement Network (SPIN) association in Costa Rica, associated with the worldwide SPIN network, to promote quality in software production. The CAPROSOFT component funds five activities: a) development of alliances among the major players in the sector, with equitable representation for firms of all sizes in the forging of a leadership capability; b) formulating a strategic plan to strengthen CAPROSOFT institutionally; c) institutional strengthening of firms in the industry through management training for individual firms; d) a technology publicity and dissemination program; and e) promoting the production of quality software, through process and product certification