FETP-Intermediate is a supervised, on-the-job, competency-based training and service (workforce development) program to improve field epidemiologic capacity at the regional level. It builds trainees competencies in surveillance, data analysis and interpretation, outbreak investigation, scientific communication, and mentorship. The 9-month part-time training program involves residential trainings interspersed with on-job field projects during which participants return to workstations and conduct job-relevant projects to concretize what they have learned.
Since August 2021, the program has graduated one cohort and will graduate another next month. With the skills and competences gained through the training, graduates are in better position to respond to public health emergencies within their regions.
The third cohort of trainees kicked off with 15 participants who were recruited through a competitive application process.
Workshop 1 is mainly focused on understanding the basics of surveillance including surveillance data interpretation, evaluation of surveillance systems, outbreak investigation, and epidemiologic study designs