Regional Focus
Component 4 : Workforce Development for Youth and Others to Participate Effectively in Selected Value Chains
Overall Objective of this Component: Implement a workforce development program that improves the employability of target groups and enhances the technical know-how of value chain participants.
- Implement demand-driven workforce development programs that address the skills gaps in selected value chains and improve the employability of target groups.
- Build the capacity of value chain participants through targeted training programs.
Background: Sri Lanka's high literacy rates and elevated education levels provide businesses within the country a deep pool from which to draw. Throughout the conflict period, the North-Central, Eastern, and Uva provinces have been able to remain fairly equal with other provinces in the country in literacy and education rates, which is very positive overall. However, employment services and delivery are severely lacking in those same regions, and there remains much work to be done to develop the workforce based on market needs. Although educational and vocational programs and certificates provide general skills development, they tend to be offered by institutions with little input from the private sector. Employers and industries experiencing growth complain of their inability to fill positions with skilled workers and managers.
The Eastern Province is looking forward to better economic and employment opportunities with the dawn of long lasting peace. More than one year has passed since the end of conflict, and both public and private sector stakeholders have embarked on new economic development activities with many more projects being planned or in the pipeline. Based on the experience gained through implementation of joint workforce development programs with private sector partners, the project identified an unmet demand for skilled workers in certain sectors. With the beginning of new economic and business development activities, there will be a considerable demand for skilled workers in existing sectors and new growth sectors.
Projects
Supporting youth in the East with new Career Opportunities
The USAID funded private sector development Connecting Regional Economies (USAID/CORE) project partnered with Aitken Spence Hotels, to provide on-the-job training/internship opportunities for youth living the Eastern Province and bordering areas.
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Mini Career Day
As a follow-on to the Career Cay entitled "connect to Your Future," several mini-career days sessions were held to identify interns for the following partner organizations:
1. Trincomalee with Keells Super and Keells Hotels
2. Monaragala, in collaboration with the Village
Re-awakening Project, with Keells Super and Aitken Spence Hotels.
3. Ampara with Keells Super and Aitken Spence Hotels.
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Career Day - "Connect to Your Future"
With the aim to provide job-oriented training and internship opportunities for youth in the Eastern Province, organized a career day entitled "Connect to Your Future" in Trincomalee. The event attracted over 2,500 youth from all communities, to undergo interviews with participating private sector companies in various sectors including hotel, supermarket, ICT, boat building and construction.
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Business Basics Training
USAID/CORE identified business development needs of its beneficiaries and developed a suitable training module covering Business Basics to develop entrepreneurial skills of value chain participants.
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