Maga Engineering to train 375 construction craftsmen in partnership with Ministry of Skills Developm

Thursday, 2 November 2017 00:13 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

From left : Training Manager of Maga Engineering P.N.K. Dias; DGM (Construction) L.L. Chandrasena; Director Finance and Planning Mega Kularatne; Additional Secretary, Ministry of Skills Development and Vocational Training Chandra Wickramasinghe; Program Manager A.U. I. De Silva; Training Coordinator of Maga Engineering Jayantha Siriwimala and Reform Specialist of the Ministry’s Employment Linked Training Program (ELTP) B.H.S. Suraweera

Sri Lanka’s leading construction company, Maga Engineering, entered into an agreement with the Ministry of Skills Development and Vocational Training to provide training to 375 construction craftsmen under the ministry’s Employment Linked Training Programme (ELTP) yesterday.

The training program is funded by the World Bank and Asian Development Bank.

The program will be specially tailored to address the needs of the construction industry and fulfill the skill and knowledge gaps of construction craftsmen. It will be a practical-oriented program which aims to give the selected applicants theoretical knowledge on their particular craft coupled with practical on-the-job training sessions.

The participants for the program, who will be screened based on their aptitude and competencies, will then be developed in a holistic manner. Under this program, 50 reinforcement craftsmen, 20 plumbers, 10 road construction site equipment operators, 20 road construction craftsmen, 20 scaffolders, 20 tilers, 10 welders, 110 masonry craftsmen, 20 painters, 10 occupational health and safety officers, 75 wood craftsmen, 20 painters and 10 laboratory assistants will be trained at Maga’s construction projects under the guidance of experienced and qualified resource personnel.

Upon the successful completion of the program, the participants will be awarded National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) Level 3 certification, accredited by the Tertiary and Vocational Education Commission of Sri Lanka.

Commenting on the program, Maga Engineering Chairman and Managing Director M.G. Kularatne said: “We are thankful to the Ministry of Skills Development and Vocational Training for this great initiative. In the fast evolving construction industry, there is a grave need for skilled craftsmen and Maga is proud to play a lead role in attracting and developing more youth through public-private partnerships such as this, which is the way forward.” The training program aims to serve social objectives by channeling the potential and strength of youth in Sri Lanka to produce a construction workforce capable of delivering world-class results. Upon successful completion the participants will have the opportunity to find employment within the company and will be able to independently handle site work and supervisory operations.

The training program will be launched this month and will be completed within one year.