Dr Sarath Obeysekera Ex CEO Cololmbo Dockyard Pvt Ltd and chairman advisory board under EDB to develop Marine and Offshore Industry 

1. Introduction

Sri Lanka stands at a critical juncture in its economic and industrial development. The current Government’s development priorities, especially under the NPP administration, recognize that a robust and skilled workforce is indispensable for sustainable economic growth. While university education remains important, the country faces a significant gap in skilled labour, technicians, and blue-collar professionals essential for industrial, maritime, and service sectors.

2. Rationale

• Workforce Imbalance: Overemphasis on university degrees has resulted in insufficient numbers of technically skilled workers and technicians.
• Industrial Demands: Strategic sectors such as shipbuilding, offshore engineering, manufacturing, construction, and high-value services demand a large pool of skilled workers.
• Global Competitiveness: Countries that prioritize vocational training have demonstrated higher industrial productivity and foreign investment inflows.

3. Policy Objectives

1. Prioritize Vocational Training: Elevate vocational and technical education to the same level of importance as university education.
2. Increase Skilled Labour Supply: Produce a pipeline of well-trained technicians and service professionals to meet current and future demand.
3. Support Economic Growth: Strengthen critical sectors such as shipbuilding, offshore industries, and the service sector to drive industrialization and export earnings.

4. Policy Measures

4.1 Financial Support Mechanisms

• Allocate a sizeable budget for vocational training programs in the annual national budget.
• Provide grants to public and private vocational training institutes to enhance facilities, curriculum, and instructor quality.
• Offer low-interest loans or interest-free student loans for trainees, with options for repayment after employment.
• Introduce collateral-free loan schemes for youth from low-income backgrounds to access technical training.

4.2 Institutional Capacity Development

• Strengthen existing institutions such as NAITA, DTET, and Vocational Training Authority.
• Encourage public-private partnerships (PPPs) to establish new training centers in high-demand sectors (marine, offshore, construction, ICT, hospitality).
• Introduce industry-led apprenticeship programs with recognized certifications.

4.3 Curriculum and Standards

• Align training curricula with international standards and emerging industry needs.
• Focus on practical, hands-on training in addition to theory.
• Regularly review and update curricula with input from industry stakeholders.

4.4 Sector Focus

• Shipbuilding and Offshore Sector: Develop specialized training programs in welding, mechanical and electrical maintenance, offshore safety, and environmental management.
• Service Sector: Hospitality, logistics, health care, and ICT support services.
• Green and Blue Economy: Skills for renewable energy, marine resource management, and sustainable fisheries.

5. Implementation Strategy

• Establish a National Vocational Skills Development Council to coordinate and monitor progress.
• Set annual targets for trainee enrollment, certifications, and job placements.
• Introduce a skills passport system to certify and track worker qualifications nationally and internationally.
• Mobilize foreign and local investment to upgrade training infrastructure.

6. Expected Outcomes

• Creation of a skilled workforce ready for domestic and international employment.
• Reduction of youth unemployment by channeling school leavers into high-demand vocational careers.
• Enhanced foreign direct investment (FDI) due to availability of skilled technical labour.
• Boost to the shipbuilding, offshore, and service industries, accelerating industrialization.

7. Conclusion

By prioritizing vocational training and technical skills development, Sri Lanka can ensure a balanced, inclusive, and sustainable path to industrialization. This policy will create the foundation for long-term economic growth, empower youth with employable skills, and position the nation as a regional leader in technical excellence.

Dr Sarath Obeysekera

Ex CEO Cololmbo Dockyard Pvt Ltd and chairman advisory board under EDB to develop Marine and Offshore Industry