Success Case Replication (SCR)

Cost-Effective Employment Promotion
For The Rural Poor

What is SCR?

To solve the problems of limited vocational training and employment possibilities, leaving of families, accommodation and transportation, an informal apprenticeship and peer training model called "Success Case Replication" (SCR) offers a solution. This methodology was field-tested successfully in eight countries in Asia and the Pacific by ESCAP and FAO, targeting rural poor people. SCR involves two main steps; (1) Locate villagers or groups who have achieved a high rate of success in their enterprises; and (2) Utilize the successful villagers or groups to train others.

What are SCR steps?

The SCR methodology follows nine distinct steps:

1. Locate success cases / businesses
2. Evaluate if the success is replicable (e.g. is it profitable, will market bear another business)
3. Assess the business owner's willingness to train
4. Establish a practical hands-on training programme
5. Screen and select trainees
6. Supervise and monitor the training
7. Arrange follow-up assistance for trainees
8. Assess feasibility of trainees becoming trainers of others
9. Keep cost/benefit records

Why is SCR beneficial to people with disabilities?

People with disabilities, especially women and those who reside in rural areas, are the most poor and marginalized of all subgroups within countries. SCR offers an alternative for rural people with disabilities who are unable to relocate or access classroom training. People with disabilities also benefit from one-to-one training and learning-by-doing approaches that involve learning from their peers in actual business settings. Other advantages include low costs, personal adaptations, individual follow-up and empowerment.

How has SCR been implemented?

In 2001, the SCR methodology was field tested for the first time with disabled people in the provinces of Battambang, Pursat and Siem Reap in Cambodia. The results have been encouraging with 36 disabled persons in training during 2001 and more than twenty starting their own businesses by year's end. As trainees establish successful businesses, they will train others according to market conditions. For example, in Pursat, one disabled woman was trained in pig farming and she has trained ten others including people with disabilities. The SCR field test incorporated resources to cover costs related to small training fees and to assist trainees start their own businesses.

Related: Case Studies from the APPT project

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