Second phase of ‘Nipunatha Abisheka’ certifies over 700 construction technicians in Matara
Thursday, 25 December 2014 00:32
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A special initiative by NAITA and Holcim Sanstha in partnership with Southern Provincial Council
The second phase of the successful ‘Nipunatha Abisheka’, organised in partnership with the National Apprentice and Industrial Training Authority (NAITA) and Holcim (Lanka) Ltd., was recently launched in Matara, in the presence of Minister of Youth Affairs and Skills Development Dallas Allaperuma.
The event which took place at the Sanath Jayasuriya Stadium in Matara witnessed over 700 construction technicians in the second phase of the National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) certificate assesment. Over 100 experienced construction supervisors were present at the venue to conduct the program, making the event probably the largest assement program in Sri Lanka to be held in one day, in one location.
Aimed at developing the skill levels and personal growth of construction technicians in the country, this collaboration was inaugurated in Kurunegala a few months with the intension of extending the program countrywide.
Commenting on the successful launch of the second phase of ‘Nipunatha Abisheka’, Holcim Lanka Vice President – External Affairs and Sustainable Development Asela Iddawela said: “As one of the leading cement conglomarates in the world and in Sri Lanka, we are in constant collaboration with construction professionals and technicians to uplift the standard of the product as well as their delivery of services. As a responsible corporate, we at Holcim (Lanka) Ltd. strongly believes it is our duty to help these individuals who have years of experience but lack the necessary certification to flourish in their chosen field. Today, we have successfully cetified a total of 1200 construction technicians in Kurunegala and Matara with the National Vocational Qualification Certificate under the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) program of the NVQ framework. Our partnership with NAITA over the years have helped us train over 1,800 youth in attaining the NVQ certification in the north and east.”
As a result of this novel initiative, individuals engaged in construction livelihoods can now acquire the NVQ certificate and receive recognition for competencies developed through prior informal work. An encouraging feature of the second stage was the presence of masons, electrical technicians and plumbers and beauticians among the participants.
Construction technicians were assessed in areas such as brick laying, plastering, plaster decoration, floor tiling, floor cementing, stone laying and health and safety policies required to follow during masonry and construction work. In addition, the families of the participants received an opportunity to witness their work during the program. On the completion of the program, best construction technicians were rewarded for excellence while all other participants who had successfully completed the program received a certification of recognition for their skill and ability.
The participants received a valuable tool kit with the necessary instruments for masonry and construction courtesy of Holcim Lanka along with a t-shirt, following which a musical show was held in celebration of the completion of the special assessment program.
To further ensure their long-term career progress within the construction industry, participants of the program were provided an opportunity to become members of the Holcim Concrete society, which would enable them to further develop their knowledge, skills and to learn more about health and safety policies. NAITA and Holcim aims to produce 5000 certified construction technicians by 2016.
The ‘Nipunatha Abhisheka’ program gave special focus to building homes for which Holcim offered its technological expertise in construction, while those who wished to enter the industry newly received an opportunity to register with NAITA and obtain essential information for construction skill development and career progress.
