Craftsmen training centre opened at Matara

The Chamber of Construction Industry Sri Lanka inaugurated a construction craftsmen training centre at Madihe, Matara with the participation of Madam Shiranthi Rajapaksa.

Chief Executive Officer/Secretary General of the Chamber, Dakshitha Thalgodapitiya said that the Construction Chamber is focusing its prioritised attention on Craftsmen Training and building capacities of the industry through development of the SME sector of the industry.

He said that the craftsmen training is carried out in collaboration with the Bioforce Development Institute of France which is a specialised humanitarian training agency, who will also provide pedagogical support.

The trainees will be paid a daily living allowance during their six-month training period and on completion will receive accreditation in terms of NVQ framework (Level III) of the Tertiary and Vocational Educational Commission (TVEC).

He said that this is the second training centre they have set up in the Southern Province and look forward to the establishment of a third centre in the Hambantota district on identification of a suitable building with infrastructure.

This Chamber initiative is an endeavour to support the 100,000 construction craftsmen training as envisaged under the "Mahinda Chinthana".

With less than 95% of the present day construction craftsmen not receiving any formal training or accreditation he expressed the hope that the training of construction craftsmen as carried out by his Chamber will not only mitigate the huge shortage of skilled workers but also enhance quality of construction, productivity and eventually would contribute to arresting the inflationary trend and cost escalations in the construction industry.

The Chamber of Construction Industry will set up training centres in Ampara, Matale and in the Colombo district in collaboration with several statutory authorities, local government bodies and international donors. He expects an annual delivery output of around 700 craftsmen per centre.

Governor of the Southern Province, Kumari Balasuriya, Chandrasiri Gajadeera, Minister of Home Affairs and Benoit Silve, Director General, Bioforce were present.