Prime Minister Dr.Harini Amarasuriya emphasized that vocational and technical education must be recognized as an equally valuable and respected pathway within Sri Lanka’s national education system, as the Government marked the successful completion of the GIZ Vocational Training in Sri Lanka (VTSL) Phase II Project Aug 12 at the Cinnamon Grand Hotel, Colombo.
The project was implemented by GIZ with the support of the German Government through BMZ, in partnership with the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), to strengthen Sri Lanka’s Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) sector.
Addressing the ceremony, the Prime Minister expressed her appreciation to the Governments of Germany and Switzerland, GIZ, BMZ and SDC for their longstanding partnership in developing Sri Lanka’s vocational education sector.
She emphasized that vocational education is not merely about preparing young people for employment, but about creating equal opportunities, strengthening livelihoods, reducing inequalities and enabling young people to build meaningful and productive lives.
The Prime Minister highlighted the importance of developing a skilled, adaptable and innovative workforce capable of responding to rapidly changing technologies and labour-market requirements. She also welcomed the project’s contribution to the digital transformation of the TVET sector, including the TVET Digital Roadmap, digital curricula, information management systems and the GuideMe App, which provides information on vocational training opportunities.
She further highlighted the Master Trainer Development Programme, through which 60 instructors were trained, noting that investment in trainers and human capital is essential to strengthening the education system.
The Prime Minister stressed that vocational education must be an integral part of the Government’s wider education reform agenda, providing pathways not only to employment but also to higher education, professional advancement and lifelong learning.
She also emphasized the need to ensure that skills development creates opportunities for women, persons with disabilities and marginalized communities, while strengthening partnerships between government, training institutions and the private sector.
The Prime Minister welcomed the project’s contribution to green skills and environmental sustainability, including Green Campus initiatives, the Mobile Green Lab and solar technician training.
The Prime Minister said that the conclusion of the project should mark the beginning of a sustained effort to build a modern, inclusive, digitally capable and future-ready TVET system, with skills development remaining a key pillar of Sri Lanka’s economic transformation.
The ceremony included the launch of the “Footprints of Change” publication, the handover of the Virtual TVET Training Kit, and the launch of the GuideMe App. A documentary on the VTSL Project was also presented, followed by addresses from Swiss Ambassador Designate Mr. Olivier Praz, German Acting Ambassador Ms. Sarah Hasselbarth, and GIZ Country Representative Ms. Paulina Campos.
The ceremony was attended by the Deputy Minister of Vocational Education Nalin Hewage, senior officials of the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, Ms. Sarah Kerstin Hasselbarth, Mr. Olivier Praz, Ms. Paulina Campos, representatives of GIZ and the VTSL Project, heads and representatives of TVET institutions, master trainers, trainers, project partners and other distinguished guests.
-Prime Minister’s Media