With an objective to increase the employability of Sri Lankan youth by disseminating skills of the highest quality based on the labour market department, the Ministry of Skills Development and Vocational Training has made renewed commitments in 2017.

In a significant shift in the policy framework in vocation training, the government will provide scholarships to any student who wishes to follow a vocational training programme at a state operated vocational training institute and will allocate Rs. 300 million towards this programme.

Vocational and Technical Training institutes will also expand their curricula to include courses at NVQ level on Gemology, Lapidary, Jewelry Design, Cutting and Polishing of Precious stones, Batik, Bamboo Crafts etc in order to meet the growing demands of the industry. Rs. 200 million will also be allocated to develop the German Technical Training Institute and the Sri Lanka Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management.

The private sector has also been invited to provide training for 10,000 youth in Apparel, Healthcare, Hospitality and Construction sectors in order to meet the urgent requirement for skilled labour. In response to the growing concern of the number of unemployed graduates, the government has proposed that these students are recruited to the relevant industry they are trained in. The government has also provided a stipend for each trainee amounting to Rs. 10,000 per month for a period of 3 months.

The Ministry of Finance has indicated that the demand for skilled labour continues to see steady growth along with the rapid development taking place countrywide. The Tourism industry requires 100,000 skilled workers, textile industry - 60,000 and the construction industry - approximately 400,000. The government hopes that through this increased focus on skills development and closer collaboration with the private sector, they would be able to cater to this growing demand.

British Council Sri Lanka is happy to provide additional information on the current higher education landscape in Sri Lanka. If you require such information please contact Chamath Peiris – Manager Higher Education & Education Services and cc to siemsouthasia@britishcouncil.org