CIOB partners Finance Ministry to generate 25,000 job opportunities in construction sector

Ceylon Institute of Builders Chairman Rohan Karunaratne addressing the inaugural ceremony to mark the launch of the training program

The Ceylon Institute of Builders (CIOB), in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance, recently launched a novel project to create 25,000 new job opportunities in the country’s construction industry. Under this initiative, 25,000 young boys and girls island-wide will be afforded the opportunity of pursuing the National Vocational Qualification (NVQ Level 1, 2) training program in the construction sector absolutely free of charge. 

Students who successfully complete the course will be given guidance to secure placements in reputed institutions in the construction industry. The inaugural ceremony of this key employment generation project was held at the premises of the Kaduwela Mahameuna Viharaya.

Delivering an admonition to the youth participating at the inaugural meeting to mark the launch of the initiative, Chairman of the Amarapura Sangha Sabawa, Mahanayake of the Amarapura Sri Kalyaniwansha Chapter, Most Ven. Dodampahala Chandrasiri thera, said that after completing their formal school education, many young boys and girls opt to take up improper and undesirable jobs through sheer ignorance and blight their future by getting involved in anti-social and illegal activities. 

He appealed to the youth to embark on a productive career by pursuing beneficial training programs of the calibre launched under this project and consolidate their future to lead meaningful lives without being led astray by fallacies.

Expressing his views on the project, Ceylon Institute of Builders Chairman Rohan Karunaratne said: “The construction industry in Sri Lanka is at present facing a critical shortage of trained workers. This is a big obstacle for the growth of the industry as well as for the forward movement of the economy. For construction work in the next few years in the country, around 18 lakh trained workers will be needed. It is in this backdrop that we held discussions with the Ministry of Finance and launched this training project for the mutual benefit of the construction sector as well the younger generation. We deeply appreciate the support and unstinted cooperation extended by Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake towards this initiative”.

NAITA former Chairman Prof. H.L. Obeysekera will serve as the Director of this training project. Stressing on the beneficial factors young boys and girls can derive from this project, he said: “This study program is conducted entirely free of charge. Students undergoing training will also receive Rs. 12,000 per month as an incentive allowance. During the duration of the course, students will be sent for training in reputed construction companies. Those institutions will also pay a daily allowance to the trainees. Students who successfully complete the training program will be guided towards finding gainful employment. Thereafter, depending on their individual capabilities, they can advance up to NVQ Level 3-4 in their chosen sphere in the construction sector. Students who pursue this training course successfully will also be awarded certificates and the identity card of the Ceylon Institute of Builders, the premier professional body of building and construction professionals in Sri Lanka, which is both locally and internationally recognised.”

A large number of young boys and girls from various parts of the country participated in the ceremony to mark the launch of NVQ (Level 1,2) training initiative. In addition, there was a strong presence of officials representing the Ceylon Institute of Builders, the Ministry of Finance and professionals and entrepreneurs in the construction industry. Ven. Aludeniye Subodhi thera administered ‘panchaseela’ on those present.