Policies, Best Practices and Resources for Conducting Vocational Training

Industry Specific and Provincial Vocational Education and Training (VET) Plans

VET Plans for Sri Lanka are available for key sectors and industries as well as for provinces to enable a better match of training with employment needs. VET plans are prepared and updated on a regular basis by TVEC.

Technical and Vocational Education and Training for Vulnerable Groups

In order to provide access for vulnerable groups in training provision, the Ministry of Vocational and Technical Training (MVTT) (through TVEC) and International Labour Organization (ILO) organized a National Steering Committee Meeting on Training Provision for Vulnerable People. Six (6) categories of vulnerable groups were identified:

• Vulnerable Women/ Single parent;
• People with disabilities;
• Disadvantaged Youth / Young People disengaged from education and employed/unemployed in informal sector;
• Poor (People in Urban, Rural, Plantations areas); Workers in informal sectors;
• Conflict Affected People: IDPs- North and East, affected by Tsunami and Armed Conflict; and
• Migrant Workers.

The Guiding Principles to provide access to vulnerable groups are:

• Increasing Access to mainstream VT;
• Ensuring Equity in opportunities to train for employment and career growth;
• Employment orientation of VT, particularly livelihood a perspective (for people from predominantly rural, agricultural communities?);
• Supportive VT environment with special provisions for participation and retention;
• Employment facilitation: Provision of Special services and assistance for Enrolment to and Retention in VT process and in post-training period;
• Holistic development of individuals, irrespective of age, gender, or other specificities; supporting participation in VT and post-training employment

These policies are expected to be available in the near future.Click here for more information about the TVET Policy for Vulnerable Groups.

Vocational Training for Ex-Combatants

The Ministry of Disaster Management and Human Rights has produced the National Action Plan of the National Framework Proposal for Reintegration of Ex-combatants into Civilian Life in Sri Lanka. The NAP provides a transition from rehabilitation to social and economic reintegration of an estimated 15,000 adult ex-combatants and will benefit 60,000 immediate family members as well. A key sector of intervention during all phases is Vocational Training.

Project for Rehabilitation through Education and Training (PRET) Vocational Training Cycle

The PRET Vocational Training Cycle has evolved over 20 years of the World University Service of Canada (WUSC) PRET and is viewed as a model of Best Practices for vocational training. Based on lessons learned, and recommendations from trainees, partner institutions, employers and other stakeholders, the cycle was revised and expanded to become a holistic, gender sensitive approach to quality vocational training programming.

Soft Skills Modules

Experience shows that employment depends on both “hard” or technical skills and “soft” skills such as safety, communication skills, leadership and business skills. NVQSL defines these as Basic Competencies to Work, i.e. those competencies needed by everyone across a variety of different life/work contexts (Competency Standard Code: BCS01). Soft skills have been incorporated into the PRET Training Cycle, which is viewed as a model of Best Practices for vocational training. WUSC has also prepared a English language module for technical training. Click here for WUSC Soft Skills Modules and English language training module

Gender Equality and Vocational Training

To increase access of women to technical trades and to increase post-training female employment rates, WUSC developed and implemented gender strategies which yielded improved employment results among women. Gender modules are also available to promote female participation in skills development and vocational training among training providers, employers and the community. Click here for WUSC Resources for Gender and Vocational Training. Gender Manual developed by TVEC, ILO and WUSC for use in Vocational Training programs (forthcoming)

CCHA Livelihoods Subcommittee – VT Working Group

The Consultative Committee on Humanitarian Assistance (CCHA) chaired by the Minister of Human Rights and Disaster Management is a high-level committee appointed to deal with important policy issues concerning humanitarian assistance. The CCHA has several sub-committees, one of which is the CCHA Sub-Committee on Livelihoods chaired by the International Labour Organization (ILO). The CCHA Livelihoods sub-committee determined that a national level working group on Vocational Training and Skills Development should be formed to promote and support livelihoods through increased access to information and better coordination in the VT sector. The VT Working Group was established with representation from international organizations involved in the VT sector and MVTT staff. The objectives of this working group are to share information, promote greater cooperation and collaboration in the sector, and provide strategic and national policy advice. This Working Group developed a document entitled “Effective and Sustainable Vocational Training & Skills Development in Sri Lanka“, which provides recommended principles, methodology and practices for quality, employment oriented vocational training. To participate in the Colombo VT Working Group send an email to Colombowusc@wusc.lk.