- all work in connection with building and starting the plant, from the digester excavation to the
masonry and plumbing - for which the requisite tools and materials must be procured
- any necessary maintenance and repair work.
Both the quality standards for the work to be done and the success of the biogas dissemination
efforts are heavily dependent on the presence of qualified craftsmen, particularly masons, in the
project region.
9.5 Training
The training measures address different target groups, each with their own specific training contents
and methods (cf. table 9.5):
- the engineers and extension officers, who are to do the planning and assume advisory duties
- the artisans, who are to build the plants and keep them in repair
- the owners, who require qualification for operating the plants efficiently and,possibly, know-how
for performing at least some of the building, maintenance and repair work on their own.
The following items require consideration in connection with biogas training measures:
- Training courses and training material must be held/written in the national or regional language.
- The training material must correspond to the specific targetgroup situation, e.g. experience has
been good with loose-leaf material that can be compiled and revised as necessary to fit the
needs of each particular target group.
- The demonstration models must agree with the types of plant actually proposed, i.e. do not dry
to explain the abstract principle of an oil-drum model or put a fixed-dome on display, when
floating-drum plants are supposed to be installed.
- A great deal of practical training must be provided. Positive experience has been made with
integrated workshops in which theoretical training is combined with hands-on experience in the
construction of a real plant.
- Women must be included in the training measures.
Supraregional workshops, even going beyond the country's borders (allowing the exchange of
experience from country to country) are a worthwhile training device for engineers, extension
officers and, to some extent, artisans. Training/attendance certificates are recommended as a
means of developing training standards and motivating trainees to participate in the courses
offered.
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