Sri Lanka : Technical Education Development

Education / Technical and vocational education and training

The Government is addressing unemployment and the changing labor market through a combination of short- and medium-term strategies. In the short-term, the Government is exploring the possibility of expanding local and foreign employment in the skilled and semi-skilled job categories while, over the medium-term, the Government accords high priority to manufacturing-based growth with increased foreign investments. This strategy requires the availability of highly trained labor, including technicians and technologists, which are presently in short supply.

The Sri Lankan labor market is facing a supply-demand gap for skilled labor at the technologist and technician level. Locally, the supply of technicians and mid-level professionals is already falling short of demand while, in the foreign labor market, Sri Lanka has been continuously unable to fill a significant portion of job orders for middle-level and skilled worker categories.

Despite the large supply-demand gap, unemployment, especially for the educated youth, is a serious concern in Sri Lanka. The large number of school-leavers lack employment-related skills necessary to obtain employment in available jobs or engage in self-employment. These unemployed youths could be productively employed in industry if they are trained in relevant technical and vocational skills.

The Project supports Sri Lanka's development strategy and is included in ADB's Country Strategy and Program. The Project supports the Government?s poverty reduction strategy and economic goals by improving the country?s skill-based competitiveness.

12 technician diploma programs in different subject areas were developed for NVQ levels 5 & 6 and are being implemented in the Colleges of Technology. Foundation courses for above diploma programs were implemented and practiced. 12 competency standards are developed and validated.

In UNIVOTEC six degree programmes in different subject areas are being conducted. The first batch of UNIVOTEC graduates in B.Ed. Tec passed out in 2011. Two batches were taken for B. Tec and B. Ed. Tec degree programmes for 2010/ 2011.

Capacity of selected public sector technical education and vocational training (TEVT) institutions strengthened to offer technician diploma programs

Capacity of selected public sector technical education and vocational training (TEVT) institutions strengthened to offer technician diploma programs (cont.)

Ministry of Vocational and Technical Training (MVTT) and relevant insitutions under its purview strengthened to support a market-responsive TEVT system

MVTT and relevant insitutions under its purview strengthened to support a market-responsive TEVT system (cont.)

University focusing in technical education and technology established and operating

University focusing in technical education and technology established and operating (cont.)

The subcommittee appointed by the Project Steering Committee (PSC) has prepared a recommendation regarding the proposed structure of CoTs and procedures have been developed.

All the activities completed

Composition of the Advisory Council for each CoT was approved by the Project Steering Committee in April 2006. Advisory Councils in 8 CoTs have been established and have met.

Workshops were conducted and CoTs staff were trained to prepare strategic management plans and strategic management plan was prepared for each CoT.

The staff development plan has been prepared and approved by the ADB.

Competency standards and curricula outline for 11 diploma programs were prepared and validated.

7 Sector Councils were established.

All the activities completed

All the activities completed

The manual is prepared.

Foundation courses are implemented.

Three technician programs, supported by JICA in CoT-Maradana have been implemented in 2007 and 8 diplomas were implemented.

All the activities completed.

Guidelines for operation and maintenance plans are developed.

All the activities completed.

All the activities completed.

The staff development plan has been prepared and further refined with advice from the project consultants. Selection of trainers for CoTs staff and the Univotec will be done.

All the activities completed

All the activities completed

OBB concept paper and framework was developed.

EMIS framework was developed and TOR is prepared. The bidding document is prepared

Research studies are done.

Competency standards and curricula were developed.

30 skills standards were developed, validated and endorsed.

Standards have been prepared for 11 areas and validated and 3 were endorsed

Review procedures started.

Procedures for accreditation and QMS are developed.

Established.

Auditors are identified.

The Univotec Act was approved by the Parliamnet in June 2008. Two consultants were appointed by the Ministry to oversee the drafing of the proposed Univotec's bylaws and is complete.

Prepared

3-year course program has been developed by NITESL.

Curricula outlines and modules are developed.

completed.

Contracts were awarded.