Ask the Minister: Matters of Public Interest 

A chat with Palitha Range Bandara, State Minister of Skills Development and Vocational Training 

Some of our readers will be very interested in getting to know the progress of the present government and the future plans of the Ministers. With the endeavour of creating awareness in this regard, Daily Mirror Life met up with some Ministers and asked them a few questions. Their answers will be carried in this weekly column. This week, we speak to Palitha Range Bandara, Minister of Public Administration and Management. 

What are the institutes that come under this Ministry? 

There are eleven institutes that come under this Ministry. Department of Technical Education and Training, Ceylon – German Technical Training Institute, National Apprentice and Industrial Training Authority, National Institute of Business Management, Ocean University of Sri Lanka, The National School of Business Management (NSBM), Skills Development Fund Limited, Sri Lanka Institute of Printing, Tertiary and Vocational Education Commission(TVEC), University of Vocational Technology, Vocational Training Authority. 

What are the issues faced by your Ministry? 

We have a severe shortage of carpenters, welders, plumber and masons. This is a massive problem for the country. The construction companies have requested for labour to be brought in from India. Although we have plans to develop infrastructure, industries and construction we don’t have the work force to be utilised for these matters. 

Of the Institutes you mentioned, which are the institutes that come directly under your purview? 

From recently the German Technical Training Institute and the Sri Lanka Institute of Printing has been gazetted to be under me, as State Minister. Until then it was only the Cabinet Minister who had the authority to overlook all these institutes so I was not able to do much in this Ministry. 

After you took over, what new projects have you implemented? 

When the Technical College was handed over to me I spoke to the private sector and joined up with Walkers CML, a well-known construction company. We told them that we will supply workers for them and then we started a six months course for masons and enrolled twenty four students. In the Anamaduwa and Kegalle Technical Colleges also we started a six months training programme and already the first batch is out. We plan to take the second batch by January. There are altogether 39 Technical Institutes so my plan is to see them join up with the private sector and build up the work force of plumbers, masons, and carpenters etc. to fill this vacuum. 

What benefits will be given to the workers through this project? 

Even while this batch was undergoing training, the company paid them and allowance of Rs 10,000/- per month, for the first three months and Rs. 20,000/- per month for the second three months. The day they completed their training officials of the company who were present at the ceremony handed over to them their letters of appointment for permanent employment. They get a starting salary of Rs 40,000/- per month and all other facilities including EPF, ETF etc. And in time the salary will be increased to Rs. 60,000/-. 

They also formulated a promotion scheme to gradually appoint them as Leader, Supervisor and then to the Executive level. They are also allowed to take subcontracts from the contracts taken on by this company and make some extra money. 

Do these workers get any kind of training overseas? 

We have had some discussions with Australia and they have agreed to the transfer of trainees after a period of three months here. There they will undergo a further site training for a period of 3 1/2 years and during this period they will get an allowance as well. After this training period is over the ones who have done well will be given an opportunity to get the work permit also. 

What happens to the masons, carpenters, plumbers who have not got a formal training but know the work? 

That segment of workers who are not certificate holders, but know the vocation as they have worked under someone who knew the job and have learnt that way, will be assessed and awarded certificates. We have a system formulated for that category of workers as well. 

What about the North and East? 

In Kilinochchi there is a branch of the National Apprentice and Industrial Training Authority and we have recently opened a State sponsored new branch of the German Technical Training Institute. 600 students will be enrolled there. 

How are the standards of these Vocational Institutes checked? 

That is what the Tertiary and Vocational Education Commission (TVEC) is there for.  Their goal is to enable vocational training, make the syllabuses and see that everything necessary is included. Then they also check on the standards of the courses, conduct examinations, and asses the students after the training programme is concluded. 

What are the skills most required for Sri Lanka? 

The present shortage is for skilled labour for the construction sector such as masons, carpenters, plumbers and welders. The other requirement is the Hotel industry. There is a shortage of about 60,000 for this sector.  In the Industrial sector also there approximately 14,000 vacancies for trained people as of now, but we will need a lot more when all the infrastructure projects take off. These are the three main areas that have a huge shortage of workers. 

What measures have you taken to develop the district you represent – Puttalam? 

We have already started constructing ninety tanks and 243km of roadway is being carpeted. 222 lakhs has been utilized to construct the ground and Pavilion at my alma mater Ananda College in Puttalam and it is the best ground in the whole District now. I have taken the initiative to provide more than 650 power line extensions under Rural Electrification Projects in the Puttalam district alone. We have provided Government employment opportunities to more than 450 youths and donated 500 Motorcycles free of charge. 

What has been done for the people of the Anamaduwa electorate? 

We have started on many projects for the small and medium entrepreneurs such as diary, making shoes and handbags, accessories, ornamental fish, poultry etc. 2158 houses have been constructed in the Anamaduwa electorate alone. We will be having programmes to recognise talented singers and other artistes also. With my personal funds my wife and I take a group of the villagers on a pilgrimage to Anuradhapura to visit the Atamastana every month. All facilities including transport, food etc. for the whole trip is provided by me. 

As you are a Minister dealing with the youth of the country, what is the message you would like to convey to them? 

Most of the youth go and drive three wheelers straight after they leave school. Most of them don’t like to train as plumbers or carpenters. These youngsters have the opportunity to join a Technical College and get their education and qualification for free. They should join these institutes and work towards a better and more secure future. Once they are qualified they are guaranteed jobs and they have a sure income for retirement also. This is way better than driving a three wheeler where there is no insurance for the future. 

We need to change this mind set fast and build up a proper work force. I can do that if I get the due authority as the State Minister in this important Ministry, where we can produce a great work force that will be able to serve the country in an exceptional way. 

Did you know? 

• He served in the Police for 17 years before entering Politics in 2000. 
• He is the sixth child in a family of eleven children. 
• He has four children. 

Questions for the ministers can be emailed to [email protected].