The ICRC's mission is such that staff must demonstrate a high level of professionalism. Ongoing training is one means of meeting the collective and individual training needs identified in the course of an operation and the requirements of quality those operations impose. The ICRC devotes a portion of its financial resources (5% of the total wage bill) to ongoing training, which forms part of a constant development process both from the technical point of view and for the purposes of staff supervision.

A response to operational needs

Training is provided in accordance with the function occupied. The ICRC finances training deemed to be necessary for a person to be able to carry out the tasks relating to that function and to the short and medium-term responsibilities he or she will be given.

The ICRC has one main Training Centre and decentralized Regional Training Units. It has developed its own training programmes in the light of the challenges of humanitarian practice. For example, it offers courses in its specific spheres of activity (protection, humanitarian law). There are also management programmes and courses in other technical fields.

In 2003, the ICRC organized over thirty different kinds of courses and about 256 training sessions for its staff. Nearly 2,370 staff members took part in an internal training course. The ICRC also encourages staff to maintain and develop their professional skills. It supports the career development of its staff by providing a number of services.