A series of participatory training workshops is underway in each participating Pacific Island Country. The main objectives of the workshop are as follows:

• To train on the benefits, limitations and characteristics of climate predictions based on statistical probability, and their prudent application;
• To conduct some basic and advance training in climatology, with emphasise on El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and its influence in the region; and
• To facilitate each NMS to prepare a prioritised list of potential agency and private clients and a list of media contacts.

The training is generally conducted over 3 to 4 day period, with a half-day Stakeholders' Briefing Session for the potential stakeholders (Government agencies, utilities, industry groups, individuals and media).

The aim of the stakeholders' briefing session is to identify:

• Potential stakeholders who would benefit from using climate information, including predictions, for risk management planning within their respective sectors.
• For each group of stakeholders, their needs in terms of:
• The type and format of data and information they might find useful;
• When and how often the information might be required; and
• Training needs in the use of climate information.
• One or two pilot studies that might be implemented under the project to demonstrate the usefulness of climate information, and to gather preliminary information on the availability of the sector specific data that would be needed for each study.

In addition a half-day session on Lessons Learned was conducted in Fiji with current users of climate prediction information. The main objectives of this session were: To review the current seasonal rainfall prediction service at the FMS and to identify priorities for improvement.