Dr Sarath Obeysekera

Across Sri Lanka and worldwide, a clear mismatch exists between academic qualifications and industry expectations. Universities and technical institutions produce thousands of graduates every year, yet employers—especially in engineering, shipbuilding, oil & gas, and heavy industry—continue to struggle to find job-ready professionals. The gap is not intelligence or theoretical knowledge; it is hands-on vocational competence.

Theory Alone Is No Longer Enough

Modern industries demand engineers and technical professionals who can translate drawings into reality. Welding, steel fabrication, piping fabrication, and Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) are not skills that can be mastered in lecture halls alone. They require:

• Physical familiarity with tools and materials
• Understanding of real-world tolerances and defects
• Safety discipline learned on the shop floor
• Confidence gained through practice, not exams

Graduates without exposure to actual fabrication environments often struggle in their first employment, even though they may excel academically.

Vocational Certification Adds Immediate Employability

A vocational training certificate—especially in areas such as welding technology, fabrication, piping, and NDT—acts as a bridge between academia and industry. When a graduate applies for their first job with both a degree and a recognized vocational certificate, employers see:

• Reduced training costs
• Faster onboarding
• Lower safety risks
• Higher productivity from day one

This is particularly critical in sectors where errors are costly, such as shipbuilding, oil and gas, power plants, and large infrastructure projects.

Real Outcomes: Proof from Industry

Our own experience clearly demonstrates this value. Several university graduates who underwent structured welding and fabrication training at our campus were issued vocational certificates after completing both theoretical and practical components.

As a direct result:

• Sri Lanka’s main shipyard absorbed them into its permanent cadre, recognizing their readiness for real work.
• Some graduates were invited to work in the Middle East oil and gas industry, where hands-on competence is non-negotiable.

These outcomes did not occur because of additional degrees—but because of practical skill validation.

Global Demand for Engineers with Hands”

Worldwide, employers are actively seeking engineers who can:

• Read and modify fabrication drawings
• Supervise and perform welding operations
• Understand weld defects and inspection methods
• Work alongside technicians with credibility

An engineer who understands welding and NDT from direct experience commands higher respect, faster promotions, and greater international mobility.

The Paradox of Vocational Training in Sri Lanka

The Sri Lankan government actively promotes vocational training, yet struggles to attract students. One key reason is perception: vocational training is wrongly seen as a second option” rather than a career accelerator.

In reality, combining:

• University education + vocational certification

creates a powerful professional profile—especially for final-year students and fresh graduates.

Why Training During Final Year Makes Sense

The ideal time for vocational training is:

• During the final year, or
• Immediately after graduation, before applying for the first job

At this stage, students:

• Still have learning momentum
• Are flexible in time
• Can align training directly with career goals

Most importantly, they enter the job market already differentiated from their peers.

Our Role: Industry-Ready Training in the South

Our welding training campus in the Southern Province is specifically geared to:

• Deliver industry-aligned welding and fabrication training
• Integrate theory with hands-on practice
• Prepare graduates for immediate employment
• Support both local and overseas job placement readiness

We do not merely issue certificates—we prepare work-ready professionals.

Conclusion

In today’s competitive environment, the question is no longer Do you have a degree?”

It is Can you perform?”

For university and technical school graduates, acquiring a vocational training certificate before their first job is not an extra—it is a strategic necessity. It shortens the path to employment, opens global opportunities, and transforms academic knowledge into real economic value

Regards

Dr Sarath Obeysekera