28 November 2016 12:00 am
The Ceylon Institute of Builders (CIOB), in collaboration with the Finance Ministry, recently launched a novel project to create 25,000 new job opportunities in the country’s construction industry.
Under this initiative, 25,000 young boys and girls islandwide will be afforded the opportunity of pursuing the National Vocational Qualification (NVQ Level 1, 2) training programme in the construction sector, absolutely free of charge.
The students who successfully complete the course will be given guidance to secure placements in reputed institutions in the construction industry. The inaugural ceremony of this key employment generation project was held at the premises of the Kaduwela Mahameuna Viharaya.
Expressing his views on the project, CIOB President Dr. Rohan Karunaratne said, “The construction industry in Sri Lanka is at present facing a critical shortage of trained workers. This is a big obstacle for the growth of the industry as well as for the forward movement of the economy. For construction work in the next few years in the country, around 1.8 million trained workers will be needed.
It is in this backdrop that we held discussions with the Finance Ministry and launched this training project for the mutual benefit of the construction sector as well the younger generation. We deeply appreciate the support and unstinted cooperation extended by Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake towards this initiative.”
Former National Apprentice and Industrial Training Authority (NAITA) Chairman Dr. H.L. Obeysekera will serve as Director of this training project.