Training of staff in the use of EDP technology for the processing of statistical information – USSR experience

With the rapid expansion of the economic and social life of the country, with growing demands of policy-making and planning bodies on the system of Soviet State statistics great attention is being paid to the training and upgrading of specialists necessary for a successful functioning of the Automated System of Nationwide Statistics of the Central Statistical Board, USSR (CSB).

State statistical bodies of the USSR are staffed with graduates of higher educational establishments and of colleges (vocational specialized schools) who are employed according to manpower utilization plans. Statistical personnel of the computer network of the CSB are also trained in the field of automated data processing of economic and statistical information, based on latest developments in this field both in the USSR and abroad.

Graduates of educational establishments joining the CSB, alongside with fundamental education in subject-matter, participate in practical activities at the computer centres of the CSB where those graduates undergo processes of adaptation to the real production environment. A production base is assigned to educational establishments for a long period of time, which contributes to a better educational level and to practical orientation of the education.

Intensive efforts are made in order to improve the methods of education for some disciplines. Text-books for fundamental cycles of applied disciplines are published.

The scientific base for training and upgrading of statistical personnel is ensured through permanent contact with organizations and institutes of the CSB and of the USSR Academy of Sciences.

Training is based on proper modem computer and data processing equipment. The Main Department for Training and Upgrading of Record-keeping (accounting) Staff of the CSB is making a great effort in publishing text-books on software maintenance and use of modern computing equipment. These measures ensure proper training of specialists according to the growing demands, at present and in the near future, of both the CSB and the national economy of the country.