seismico

The training setup has evolved over time, in parallel with the lessons learned.

​

2 day training of masons (2006 in Pakistan): The mason training was limited to a day or two of classroom lessons with very few practical outdoor demonstrations. Impact: very limited. Workers are not used to sit in a classroom for hours at a time.

​

10 day training of masons (2011 in Haiti): The initial training consisted of a 10 day course with 50% theory lessons in classrooms and 50% practical exercises in the school yard. Again, this proved to be far too short and too theoretical for trainees often with a limited educational background.

​

 

 

6 week training of masons (2012 in Haiti): 4 days a week of practical training on housing reconstruction sites and one day of theory in a classroom. While working on the building sites

masons were paid allowing them to participate in a 6 week training course. Salary was a little

bit lower than usual to allow for the slower pace of the construction work on the training site.

​

4 week training of trainers (2013 in Haiti): For qualified trainers and experienced masons. The practical part of this training consisted in the construction of a monument.

​

2 week training of trainers (2016 in Ecuador): For qualified trainers and technicians. Construction of a very small house, with the assistance of experienced masons. Three hours of theory every day.

​

 

 

 

8 week training of masons (2017 in Ecuador): Longer duration of training due to bigger houses than in

Haiti. 5 days of practical work on construction site and Saturday mornings for theory lessons.

​

Conclusion:

Despite regular requests from organisations and institutions for "short trainings" of a couple of days we insist that the minimal duration of masons training should not be less than six weeks. Anything shorter should not be called "training" but "awareness-raising or introductory workshop".

The duration of a training-of-trainers depends on the initial qualification of the trainees. Practical work however remains an important part of the training, also for trainers.