The AusAID team's collaborative approach to Self-Help Housing Technology through public awareness is one that involves a variety of stakeholders in planning and carrying out the program. 
Sometimes called an organisational approach, it recognises that "workplace literacy and basic skills upgrading programs, alone, will not ensure that both worker and organisational goals around basic skills and communication are met". This approach supports the goals of AusAID, in which workers are expected to be involved in decision-making related to their jobs. Part of this decision-making involves management, workers and union (if appropriate), and AusAID's skilled team in a participatory process for planning, implementing, and evaluating workplace training programs.
The collaborative approach to workplace training supports a high-performance learning model and is based on the following principles of good practice:
- There is no "quick fix". Basic skills are addressed as a part of the organisation's overall training and education strategy.;
- All stakeholders are involved. A collaborative partnership with all workplace players is the key to establishing a successful workplace training program;
- Process and practice are based on an empowerment model of literacy. Programs build on the experience, knowledge and skills that the AusAID team and organisation already possess;
- The team's training initiatives accommodate and respect cultural, linguistic and racial diversity. The needs of the work-force may need to be met in different ways to achieve the same outcomes;
- The training team adjusts or tailors the basic skills programme to each workplace and its trainees. The scope and variety of skills needed by workers varies from organisation to organisation, and no strategy or curriculum will fit all workplaces;
- Clear language is essential. All key workplace documents and training manuals are written clearly so that they can be understood by everyone;
- The team encourages local residents and professionals to upgrade their knowledge about mud brick building on a voluntary basis. Learning can then take place in the context where participants feel comfortable and have the motivation to learn.
The AusAID team assesses performance and direction that may not be ready to support a collaborative approach for mud brick construction. The team leader conducts a workplace needs assessment to determine the communities' present stage of development and discuss their findings with stakeholders as a means of clarifying goals and values in relationship to the project.
Contact details:
Dr Steve Burroughs
Phone: +61-2-6251-6495
Mobile: +61-414-625164
Email: sburroug@bigpond.net.au
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