Sri Lankan government to support anticipated construction boom by training workforce
The government of Sri Lanka is to support the anticipated boom in the construction sector in the country by providing vocational training in the fields of masonry, carpentry, electricity, and plumbing along with a daily payment to the participants through its wide network of training institutes scattered in all parts of the island, reports state.
Skills Development and Vocational Training Minister Chandima Weerakkody has reportedly informed Parliament that the training will be provided in line with the 2018 Budget.
“We are looking at developing trade skills required for the development of the country. Even though we were planning to launch this in 2017, due to some technical issues we were unable to do so. However, the allocation to conduct the programme is now set aside for 2018. As a result, each trainee will receive Rs.2,500 per day during the training period,” Weerakkody has said.
Reports state that since 2015, the government’s programmes in vocational training have produced 166,025 apprentices in different trade skills out of which 79,326 are related to the construction industry.
“When I met the Ambassador of Japan in Sri Lanka recently, he specifically mentioned that they find difficult to find trained labour specifically in the construction industry to be employed in their projects,” the Minister has observed.
The Ministry of Skills Development and Vocational Training has six institutions, including the Department of Technical Education and Training, the Vocational Training Authority of Sri Lanka, the Sri Lanka Institute of Printing, the Ceylon German Technical Training Institute, the National Apprentice and Industrial Training Authority, and the Sri Lanka Ocean University engaged in vocational training at different levels.
OSL take:
The construction industry in Sri Lanka is expected to witness a significant growth due to the ongoing development projects currently being carried out as well as those in the pipeline in every part of the country. Given the government’s commitment to support the construction industry by developing skilled labour force would provide an added incentive to investors looking at engaging in the industry.
| Article Code : | VBS/AT/06122017/Z_2 |