The document discusses the importance of training as a key element in post-disaster reconstruction. It notes that Canadian organizations have extensive experience providing construction training internationally, but that a gap often remains between Canadian capacity and reconstruction needs. To help close this gap, the document recommends incorporating comprehensive training programs into proposals for disaster relief housing. Such programs would train local construction workers, inspectors, and officials on building techniques like wood-frame construction and building sciences to help ensure structures are built safely and durably.

1. Training as a Key Element in
Reconstruction
Sustainable Disaster Relief Housing Conference, Ottawa, October 2011
CANADA MORTGAGE AND HOUSING CORPORATION

2. Role of CMHC International
Housing export
Support to small/medium
companies to help them increase
and diversify their exports
Building partnerships between
Canadian and foreign companies
International relations
Represents Canada internationally
on housing matters
Government to government
collaboration
CANADA MORTGAGE AND HOUSING CORPORATION

3. Gap between supply and demand
Canadian Reconstruction
Capacity Needs
Motivation Turnkey solutions
Prefab systems & kits Local job creation &
Adaptation business development
Performance Affordability
Containerization Respect local traditions
Training
CANADA MORTGAGE AND HOUSING CORPORATION

4. Gap between supply and demand
Canadian Reconstruction
Capacity Needs
Motivation Turnkey solutions
Prefab systems & kits Local job creation &
Adaptation Gap business development
Performance Shipping Affordability
Containerization Project management Respect local traditions
Training Erection
Quality assurance
Land & infrastructure
Approvals
Financing
Acceptance of
imported systems
CANADA MORTGAGE AND HOUSING CORPORATION

5. Gap between supply and demand
Canadian Reconstruction
Capacity Needs
Motivation Turnkey solutions
Prefab systems & kits Local job creation &
Adaptation Gap business development
Performance Shipping Affordability
Containerization Project management Respect local traditions
Erection
Training Quality assurance
Land & infrastructure
Approvals
Financing
Acceptance of
imported systems
CANADA MORTGAGE AND HOUSING CORPORATION

6. Training is particularly essential
for wood-frame construction
Lack of familiarity with wood-frame
Lack of skilled carpenters, construction
supervisors, inspectors
Concerns over long-term durability re
fire, moisture, hurricanes, earthquakes,
termites
Low budgets
+ desirability for local job creation
= preference for site-built rather
than prefab
CANADA MORTGAGE AND HOUSING CORPORATION

7. Basic principles
Adaptation of training materials for
local climate, hazards, skill level,
education level, language
Practical emphasis, hands-on
experience
Demonstration houses for
ongoing reference
Train the trainers
Follow-up on-site technical
support, quality assurance
and inspections
CANADA MORTGAGE AND HOUSING CORPORATION

8. Construction training
For trades:
Erection of specific systems
being imported
Carpentry & w-f construction
But also for builders:
Integration of w-f with other systems
Sequencing of trades, organization of
labour force
Material and site management
Supervision and project management
Local regulatory compliance
CANADA MORTGAGE AND HOUSING CORPORATION

9. Construction training (cont’d)
Incorporate basic building
science to ensure long-term
durability:
Earthquakes
Hurricanes
Fire
Moisture
Termites
“Build back better”
CANADA MORTGAGE AND HOUSING CORPORATION

10. Broader influence of training
Building officials:
How to inspect wood-frame
Assistance with code development
Local business development:
Sustainable forestry
Supply chain management
Occupants:
Operation & maintenance
Future expansion
“Create a Canadian legacy”
CANADA MORTGAGE AND HOUSING CORPORATION

11. Pre-project presentations
Awareness-raising for decision-
makers, local governments, aid
agencies
Canadian capacity, expertise and
experience
Viability of Canadian system:
advantages, durability, costs,
availability of technical support &
training
Hybrid possibilities: wood-frame +
traditional materials
CANADA MORTGAGE AND HOUSING CORPORATION

12. Canadian housing sector has a
long history of training
Community colleges: carpentry, building technology
Government agencies (CMHC, NRCan, NRC) and
industry associations: building science
Aboriginal capacity building:
trades & project management
CANADA MORTGAGE AND HOUSING CORPORATION

13. And a successful track record in
overseas training
Canada Wood
Systematic introduction
of wood-frame to China
Sichuan earthquake
reconstruction
Community colleges active
in Haiti, Russia, Japan, etc.
CANADA MORTGAGE AND HOUSING CORPORATION

14. And a successful track record in
overseas training (cont’d)
Canadian suppliers
Maisons Laprise, Haiti
Britco, Indonesia
Viceroy, Japan
CANADA MORTGAGE AND HOUSING CORPORATION

15. CMHC’s International Training Team
Created in 1999 as a pool of private
sector experts to assist CMHC
Technical presentations, on-site
training, design charrettes
Delivered over 240 sessions, reaching
over 10,000 participants
CANADA MORTGAGE AND HOUSING CORPORATION

16. CMHC’s International Training Team
Providing support for large-
scale wood-frame projects in
China and Russia
Adaptation of “Canadian Wood
Frame House Construction” to
other climates & languages
CANADA MORTGAGE AND HOUSING CORPORATION

17. Incorporating training into future
reconstruction proposals
1. Team Canada approach
2. Needs assessment
3. Influencing decision-makers
4. Influencing spec writing
5. Adaptation of training materials
6. Train the trainers, trades,
supervisors, inspectors
7. Ongoing on-site technical support,
quality assurance & occupant
education
CANADA MORTGAGE AND HOUSING CORPORATION

18. Question for discussion
• How can we effectively draw on Canada’s extensive
experience in training to assist the Canadian housing
sector to become a major supplier of post-disaster
housing?
CANADA MORTGAGE AND HOUSING CORPORATION

19. Terry Robinson
Director, Housing Export
CMHC International
THANK YOU!
trobinso@cmhc.ca
+1 613 748 2333
CANADA MORTGAGE AND HOUSING CORPORATION