Singapore company to invest US$ 1.5-3 m on training facilities

By Cheranka Mendis

Leading engineering and construction company from Singapore Fonda Global Engineering Lanka (Pvt) Ltd. yesterday agreed to invest US$ 1.5-3 million in a training and testing centre for construction skill workers in Katunayake as per the guidelines of the Singapore Government.

The centre will be known as the Overseas Testing and Training Centre (OTTC) Sri Lanka.

Speaking to the Daily FT post MoU signing with the BOI, Fonda Global Engineering Director James Siow noted that technical skills in 14 sub areas in construction would be taught at the centre, which would train 250 persons per month at initial stages going up to 1,000 later on.

Currently engaged in extension and operational work to suit their requirement in an area spanning 11,000 square meters at the BOI’s Katunayake Export Processing Zone which was previously utilised by Cosmos Mackie Industries before its closure years ago, Siow stated that the building will be ready for operation by end this year or latest early next year. The expectation is to start recruiting by February 2013.

“Our company primarily engages in construction as well as mechanical and electrical engineering works. Not long ago Singapore Building Construction Authority assigned us to come to Sri Lanka to set up a training centre to convert unskilled workers to skilled workers to match the growing demand for such workers in our country,” Siow said.

After a period of one-and-a-half to two years, during which the training will take place, the workers will be tested by the Singaporean Government and those who make the cut will receive a certificate from the Government certifying their skill level. “We will then bring them to Singapore to work at various construction sites.”

With the Singapore construction industry growing at an average 20% YoY, the demand for skilled workers is a necessity, he said.

This will be the first time Singapore Government opens up to Sri Lankan construction work permit holders.

“Our Government actually needs 1,000 workers from Sri Lanka every month. We will start with 200/250 then 500 then if demand is high we will move in to Jaffna and Kandy to provide 1,000 workers on a monthly basis.”

The workers will be employed on a contract basis which is likely to be two years. Maximum period of work allowed for this field in Singapore is 18 years. It was estimated that a worker could earn in average SGD 500 a month. “We have some 40,000-50,000 Bangladeshi workers in our construction industry. Some 1,500 people are recruited from Bangladesh each year. We believe that working with Sri Lankan construction workers will be much more beneficial as they are more educated and can grasp things faster.”

Fonda’s purpose built facilities will, once completed, include classrooms, conference room, rest area, canteen and a show room. The areas of technical training at the centre will include system formwork, aluminium formwork, timber formwork, precast kerbs and drains, steel reinforcements, door and window aluminium, door and window timber, suspended ceiling, plastering works, plumbing and pipe fitting, tiling works, waterproofing works, electricity wiring installation, ducting and aircon ventilation, welding works, safety orientation course and electricity orientation course. The centre will have the latest technology and will focus on green technology and studies for workers.

In addition to the centre that will open soon in Colombo, Fonda has already fully functioning centres in Singapore and Bangladesh.