The Sri Lankan construction industry is currently grappling with the problem of acute shortage of skilled craftsmen. This dearth of craftsmen with a formal training in the relevant trade has posed a serious threat to the construction industry in Sri Lanka, especially when you consider the large number of upcoming development projects.
Only a meager percentage of Masons have been exposed to a formal training in their trade and the tendency is to carry on in the way their peers and supervisors have taught them from inception. Only a limited number of masons have managed to acquire a government accredited skills certificate to prove their professional competency. The absolute necessity to upgrade skills of this sector is clearly indicated by the leading industry associations such as the Chamber of Construction Industry of Sri Lanka (CCI-SL) and the Ceylon Institute of Builders (CIOB), who represent the entire construction industry.
A skilled masonry craftsman with an accredited skill Certificate has a very high potential to earn a higher income in compared to a worker without a recognized qualification. Also, there is a very high demand for professionally certified masons in developing countries such as South Korea, the Middle East, United Arab Emirates, Australia and Japan, to name a few.
With the objective of training skilled construction workers, Tokyo Cement Group initiated the A.Y.S. GNANAM CONSTRUCTION TRAINING ACADEMY, a fully-fledged training institution in Dambulla. This institute designated in the memory of the founder Chairman late Deshamanya A.Y.S. Gnanam was opened in 2012.
Residential training programs are conducted in this training center with ultra-modern facilities that can cater for 50 trainees. The construction training academy has entered into a MOU with the National Apprentices & Industrial Training Authority and is registered under the Tertiary & Vocational Education Commission.
The training programs conducted in the academy are;
- Competency Based Training (CBT) program for school leavers targeting NVQ Certificate level 3, based on curriculum approved by TVEC. This program includes 2 months institutional training and 4 months on the job training.
- Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) system, targeting NVQ Certificate level 3.
Since establishment of this Academy, nearly 1000 participants have successfully completed the NVQ test conducted at this Academy under the supervision of NAITA Assessors.
Tokyo Cement Company (Lanka) PLC was awarded the best CSR project award 2012 – in Education & Training – Construction Training Project, by the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce in recognition of outstanding Corporate Social Responsibility measures adopted by the Company and its contribution to the society through sustainable business practices.
