Five days training of trainers held at Dhulikhel is part of "Support to Implementation of National Building Code and Safer Building Construction in 3 Earthquake affected Municipalities" project being implemented by UNDP, under its Comprehensive Disaster Risk Management Programme (CDRMP), with financial support from Government of Japan. It targets three municipalities: Panchkhal of Kavre and Chautara and Melamchi of Sindhupalchowk. These trained engineers are expected to facilitate masons' training in the areas, which has been prioritized by National Reconstruction Authority as an immediate need to produce skilled masons for construction of safer buildings. UNDP conducted this training in technical collaboration with Council for Technical Education and Vocational Training (CTEVT).
The training course was composed of conceptual clarity about earthquake, structural vulnerability, risk and mitigation measures. The course broadly covered the importance and standard provisions of the National Building Code of Nepal, with special focus on Mandatory Rules of Thumb (MRT) for reinforced cement concrete (RC), brick masonry and stone masonry buildings. It also educated the participants on Quality of materials and workmanship and retrofitting techniques in RC and masonry buildings. Whereas, hands-on training during practical session gave an opportunity to the participants to test their theoretical knowledge in the ground.
Er Ashok Yadav, one of the trainees, said training helped him to provide technical guidance to the house-owners who are going to build house from the Government of Nepal’s support after the earthquake.