The National Human Resources and Employment Policy for Sri Lanka 2012
English
Governments
Governments hold a wealth of knowledge on skills development, and are increasingly realizing the value of learning from each others’ experiences. Their policy documents, programme evaluations, and research findings contain their experience and ideas on how to better link skills to employment
Access to training
Access for all to good quality education, vocational training and workplace learning is a fundamental principle of social cohesion and economic growth. Some groups of people may require targeted attention if they are to benefit from education, training and employment opportunities.
This is particularly the case for disadvantaged youth, lower skilled workers, people with disabilities, and people in rural communities. The attractiveness of vocational education and training is enhanced when combined with entrepreneurship training and when public policies encourage utilization of higher skills by business.
Career guidance and employment services
Career guidance and counselling, career education and lifelong development of skills for employability are key for success in learning activities, effective career transitions, livelihood planning, entrepreneurship and in increasing labour market participation. They are instrumental in promoting skills utilization, recognition (RPL), as well as in improving enterprise human resource management.
Career development activities encompass a wide variety of support activities including career information and advice, counselling, work exposure (e.g. job shadowing, work experience periods), assessment, coaching, mentoring, professional networking, advocacy, basic and employability skills training (curricular and non-curricular) and entrepreneurship training. It is often an area which is fragmented across different ministries (e.g. education, TVET, employment, youth) requiring an effort to achieve the necessary coordination to provide adequate support to individuals during learning, employment and unemployment/inactivity periods.
Sectoral approaches
Matching skills to labour market demand requires reliable sectoral and occupational information and institutions that connect employers with training providers. Sector based strategies and institutions have proved effective in engaging all stakeholders in promoting both pre-employment training and life-long learning.
National policies and initiatives
National legislation, policies and initiatives on the issue of training and skills development and the world of work.
The objectives of NHREP are:
• to promote the attainment of full, productive and freely chosen employment for all women and men in Sri Lanka;
• to develop a highly competent, globally competitive, multi-skilled and productive workforce;
• to improve incomes and the quality of life of the working population across different sectors and regions;
• to provide the fullest possible opportunity to each worker without discrimination, to qualify for and to use his/her skills and endowments in a job for which he/she is best suited so that worker motivation and productivity are maximised; and
• to safeguard the basic rights and interests of workers in line with national labour laws and key international labour standards.
Career guidance
Employability
Gender
Human resources development
People with disabilities
Sectoral approaches
Skills and training policy
Vocational training
Youth
Asia and the Pacific
