Developing engineers and technicians: Notes on giving guidance to engineers and technicians on how infrastructure can meet the needs of men and women.
Abstract
These training notes are to help develop awareness amongst engineers of why the needs of men and women should be considered in development projects and how they, as technical professionals, can meet those needs. The trainer/facilitator/project manager should adapt the 38 training units presented to suit the needs of the audience, based on their current level of awareness and knowledge of issues such as social exclusion, gender and the engineering response. The units can be used in a number of ways: for individual staff development tools (used as single units within the work environment); for in service training (as stand alone units, as part of a broader training programme (e.g. technical or managerial), as a series of sessions over several weeks (e.g. at lunchtimes, as an extension to project meetings), or as a concise course on involving men and women in infrastructure development); as meeting agendas; or for practical application in the field, especially in developing participatory methods. Next to each unit is a set of points for the trainer. These short summaries are to help plan sessions and give the main purpose of the session, the gender and engineering messages and an approximate duration. The purpose may be to develop awareness, change perceptions, teach a particular skill or transfer knowledge. The main part of the unit contains a possible procedure, with sample questions and discussion points, background material and hints and suggestions. Topics covered include: social exclusion; labour allocation; design problems; consumer surveys; cost benefit analysis; site visits; and unequal opportunities.
Citation
Coates, S.; Fry, M.; Reed, B.; Smout, I. Developing engineers and technicians: Notes on giving guidance to engineers and technicians on how infrastructure can meet the needs of men and women. WEDC, Loughborough, UK (2007) 106 pp.