In this session the participants pooled their knowledge to map out what training resources already existed, and then to identify the gaps in training provision.
A mapping exercise was undertaken of relevant existing training courses, from degree courses at universities to components in generalist training within agencies, and including construction training for and in development contexts.
The participants contributed that:
- professional and vocational training on construction and construction management exists at different levels in almost every country, with varying access to training, dependent upon location and individual resources
- specialist research groups existed within the universities of most countries, looking at risk management measures appropriate to local circumstances
- the IASC Early Recovery cluster was working on assessment training
- NRC trained its staff on camp management and training of trainers
- Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) post disaster assessment was making scalable assessment tools
- UNHCR was rapidly developing training in coordination with IFRC for the IASC Emergency Shelter cluster
- RedR offered an annual 4-day assessment course
- the military trained its own engineering capacity, but on general field engineering rather than on shelter
- York University had a course in post war reconstruction & development
- Oxford Brooks ran MSc/Diploma in Urban Planning
- University of Eindhoven and many others ran relevant courses
- UNDP disaster management training program (DMTP) had a training module
- SDC/HA ran courses on site selection, camp planning and GIS mapping
- Lundt University in Sweden had a series of small booklets e.g. moisture control in buildings, how to tile roofs
- participant organisations in BASIN, such as ITDG and SKAT, had booklets on supporting small builders in basic skills, from project management to carpentry and masonry
- the session was concluded with an expression of interest from most participant organisations present in collaborating on Shelter Training in various topics, the most popular topics being different settlement options, cultural sensitivity, risk reduction, assessment, use of local laws, and core competencies.
The participants agreed to continue the discussion with similarly interested participants, using a suitable medium such as an online forum provided by Shelter Centre.