Govt. to provide training with payment for construction industry

Trainees to receive Rs. 2,500 a day, says 166,000 trained since 2015 with majority for construction (strap)    

Supporting the anticipated boom in the construction sector in Sri Lanka, the Government will provide vocational training for 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.

Minister of Skills Development and Vocational Training Chandima Weerakkody informed Parliament that the training will be provided in line with Budget 2017. “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 allocations to conduct the program is now set aside for 2018. As a result, each trainee will receive Rs.2,500 per day during the training period,” Minister Weerakkody said.

Since 2015, the Unity Government’s programs in vocational training has 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 added, highlighting the potential for youth employment.

The Ministry of Skills Development and Vocational Training has six institutions, including the Department of Technical Education & 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 already engaged in vocational training at different levels. (AH)