EMPOWERING SRI LANKA'S CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY
The UNDP/ILO Technical Assistance Project

Objectives

This ILO/UNDP Assistance Project to enhance the productivity and output of the Institute for Construction Training and Development (ICTAD), a National Sectoral Agency for the construction sector in Sri Lanka, with technical assistance in construction training and development, has led to an overall development of the industry and significant benefits to all those engaged in it.

The Project implemented in 1986 and concluded in 1992 was primarily aimed at strengthening the institutional framework of the ICTAD and increasing its overall efficiency and productivity. It was also directed towards creating employment and increasing incomes by upgrading the varied skills of different levels of construction workers through professional training programs.

Outcomes

Institutional Development: The ICTAD was able to establish its role as an enabler, facilitator, catalyst, co-ordinator, policy formulator both in training and industry development through links it has established with public and private organisations related to the construction industry. The Institute also achieved regional recognition with links with similar bodies in Singapore and Bombay.

Training of Staff and Workers: The immediate objectives of the ICTAD training activities in the 5-year period were achieved. Quantitatively, the number of persons trained under the Project far exceeded the expected output, thus increasing the supply of trained persons in several construction related fields, besides setting new skill standards, trade testing and certification procedures for different levels of construction workers.

The Project further created new training modules and packages for construction related categories of workers, while links were also forged with regional and international agencies and an institutional framework developed to conduct training programs on a self sustaining basis ICTAD's staff has also been trained through local and foreign training programs.

Industry Development: The ICTAD has set up a database and a fully equipped National Information Centre and a system of registration and grading contractors. As a result of the ILO/UNDP Project, the ICTAD has now been recognised as the focal point for the development of the construction industry in Sri Lanka, and the country's second largest employment generator after the agriculture sector.