Partnerships

S4IG’s Phase 2 (2020-2024) is all about partnerships! We recognise our partners as powerful allies in fostering systemic, lasting change in the tourism skill development sector. We seek to partner with organisations across the public and private sector, with our current partners including key government agencies, training bodies, peak private sector industry bodies and a wide variety of businesses and enterprises of all sizes.

Our partnerships are collaborative, with a co-creation approach at their heart. We bring our technical expertise from Phase 1 of S4IG and focus on co-creating long term initiatives that build capacity within our partners, uplifting and supporting them to deliver successful inclusive, innovative, and tailored initiatives in skill development.

Contact our S4IG Partnerships team

Email: enquiries[at]inclusivegrowth.com.lk

Niroshan Bartholomeusz

Manager - Finance & Private Partnerships - RNB

Sakthivell Thangavel

Micro Small Medium Enterprise (MSME)
Business Development Specialist

Sinthathurai Benjamin

Skills Development and Engagement Specialist

Partnership

The Tertiary and Vocational Education Commission (TVEC) was established in 1991 as the national regulator, facilitator and standards setter for technical and vocational education and training. In this respect, their primary responsibilities include policy formulation, planning, development, coordination and quality assurance.

The modernisation of TVEC under the Government's ‘Vistas of Splendour’ program includes four key principles. These also underpin S4IG’s approach in developing and demonstrating inclusive skill development models, namely: relevance, quality, flexibility and access/inclusion.

The following are the main objectives of the S4IG and TVEC partnership:

  • Roll-out of the TVEC Reasonable Adjustment Circular, Guidelines and Tools to improve Accessibility and Recognition of Skills for People with Disabilities
  • Deliver a training module that supports the implementation of the above program, including the use of assessment tools to TVEC Assessors nationally
  • Accreditation/recognition of a Foundational Hospitality Skills Training Course
  • Accreditation/recognition of a Professional Cookery Training Course
  • Accreditation/recognition of a Professional Pastry Chef Course
  • Accreditation/recognition of Training Courses relevant to the Tourism and Hospitality sector including E-Marketing Accreditation/recognition of a Professional Coaching Course
  • Registration/Certification of Industry Trainers in Foundational Hospitality Skills and Professional Cookery Courses
  • Registration/Certification of Industry Assessors in Foundational Hospitality Skills and Professional Cookery Courses
  • Recognition and accreditation of Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) services and upskilling to support workforce development of chefs and kitchen operation staff across the hospitalitysector
Memorandum of Understanding- TVEC and S4IG: TVEC-MOU.pdf

The National Apprentice and Industrial Training Authority (NAITA) provides vocational skills through apprenticeship training for youth between 16-35 years and annually recruits nearly 14,000 trainees through their island-wide provincial network.

The following are the main objectives of the S4IG and NAITA partnership:

Foundational Hospitality Skills

  • Package the validated course supporting multiskilling for the hospitality industry and apply to TVEC for accreditation
  • Introduce the Foundational Hospitality skills course in both Centre based training (CBT) and Enterprise based training (EBT) in all three languages to support workforce development in the tourism and hospitality sector and support industry recovery. This includes the development of functional English training to support engagement with international visitors
  • Release a circular, informing that it is mandatory to complete the Foundational Skills Course online, enterprise-based, or through centre-based training for students who enter NAITA on a career path in the hospitality sector
  • Produce Master Trainers and Industry Assessors to roll out the new training package across the hospitality sector
  • Assess skills for trainees and the existing workforce and issue qualifications
  • Introduce mobile training and assessment services for rural and remote communities with local tourism and hospitality employment opportunities

Professional Cookery

  • Pilot and deliver the industry-validated Professional Cookery Course
  • Apply to TVEC for accreditation of the Professional Cookery Course (NVQ 4 or 5)
  • Upskill 20 existing chefs from the industry to test upskilling system. Roll out upskilling services across the industry
  • In collaboration with other skills providers manage the Supreme Chef Youth Edition reality show and production

RPL and Upskilling

  • Review with TVEC and identify mechanisms to implement Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) to recognise skills acquired in the workplace and develop flexible delivery opportunities to upskill the tourism and hospitality workforce to industry-recognised standards and higher-level qualifications
  • Use the assessment matrix to assist existing staff to have their skills recognised and to be able to progress into higher level qualifications whilst working.
  • Develop assessment matrix for other tourism and hospitality jobs in its value chain to support upskilling of the workforce
Memorandum of Understanding- NAITA and S4IG: NAITA MoU.pdf

Established in 2007, the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) is the official government institution tasked with regulating the tourism industry in the country. SLTDA is responsible for tapping into Sri Lanka's natural potential to expand and enhance its tourism offering. They aim to position and develop Sri Lanka as a leading destination for international visitors, in addition to benefiting investors and supporting communities in a sustainable manner. The following are the main objectives of the S4IG and SLTDA partnership:

Tourism Coaching for Business Services

  • Introduce a Tourism Business Coaching System functioning at National Level
  • Promote/disseminate tourism coaching services to tourism enterprises.
  • Work with SLITHM to manage and ensure quality assurance for the coaches of Business Services training
  • Identify skills required by small business managers and operators to determine upskilling
  • opportunities through online or blended training with SLITHM.

National Tour Guides

  • Guide the accreditation of upgraded Area/National Tourism Guide skills in accordance with the NCS/Industry requirements
  • Approve and improve practice standards, licensing and the professional development of Tour Guides in Sri Lanka
  • Provide registration of Tour Guides in accordance with National Practice standards
  • Ensure that quality assurance protocols are prescribed to monitor the services provided across the industry

HR Toolkit

  • Review and validate the developed toolkit according to the current requirements of HR practices in the tourism and hospitality sector
  • Together with CIPM, plan the strategic operation of the toolkit in the registration renewal process
  • Promote the implementation of better HR practices in MSMEs, reducing HR related constraints
  • Conduct validation workshops with MSMEs

Skills for Destination Development

  • Establish a Functioning Strategic Reference Group to guide the testing of a destination development model and activate implementation of the model
  • Develop a Tourism Event Management Course
  • Develop and apply strategies for Destination Promotion/Marketing & Communication, which can be replicated by training providers working with industry and government agencies
Memorandum of Understanding- SLTDA and S4IG: MOU-SLTDA.pdf

The Vocational Training Authority of Sri Lanka (VTA) was established on 16th August 1995 under the provisions of the Vocational Training Authority of Sri Lanka Act No.12 of 1995.It was a concept of His Excellency the former President Mahinda Rajapaksa when he was the Hon. Ministry of Labor and Vocational Training. VTA was established with the intent to provide skills for employment. The Manpower Division, the training arm of Labor Department which was running Technical and Vocational training programs in many parts of Sri Lanka, this was converted to the newly constitute Vocational Training Authority (VTA) making vocational training more accessible to rural youth and depressed segments in the country.

The key intention behind establishing the VTA was to reach the rural mass of the country which was 72% of the total population and make them to be skillful to find employment opportunities both locally and internationally. The Board of Directors representing various ministries assigned with specific subjects’ areas, i.e., youth affairs, education, industrial development, finance, and labor including the corporate sector.

In line with VTA organizational mandates, VTA and S4IG agree to cooperate in working towards supporting in delivering the professional cookery course with the industry partner Chef Guild of Sri Lanka.

Deliver a professional cookery program: Provide technical assistance and support to deliver a professional cooking program which is more flexible, relevant, and responsive to the tourism industry to improve employment outcomes and service standards.

Specifically, the parties to this agreement will facilitate and support the training the industry Trainers, conduct trainings and provide certification services.

The following are the main activities of the S4Ig and VTA Partnership

  • Professional Cookery Course
  • Professional Pastry & Bakery and Confectionary Course
  • Functional English
  • Media Capacity Building
  • Mobile Training and Assessment
  • Supreme Chef – Youth Edition
Memorandum of Understanding- VTA and S4IG: VTA - MOU.pdf

The Sri Lanka Rūpavāhinī Corporation known as Jathika Rupavahini (lit. National Television) or simply as Rupavahini, is the national television network of Sri Lanka.

Established by Parliament under Act No. 6 of 1982 for the provision of national television service, it produces and broadcasts programmes in three languages. Distinguished civil servant M.J Perera was the founder and chairman of Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation.

Tourism Coaching for Business Services

  • SLRC is the largest television broadcaster in Sri Lanka and has an island-wide reception of its channels. SLRC broadcasts its channels in both VHF and UHF frequencies in Sri Lanka.
  • Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation collaborate with S4IG in the creation of Supreme Chef Season 3 – Youth Edition, a reality show focused model to showcase vocational training as a creative alternative to regular education in Sri Lanka or regular employment pathways.
  • The SLRC technical team, assist the team contracted by S4IG which includes NAITA, VTA, and NYSC Media specialists, to support the production of 18 episodes of the third season of Supreme Chef – Youth Edition.
  • Review and comments the produced episode before airing.
  • The SLRC marketing team handle the show's marketing and promotion, as well as securing prime and sub sponsors.
  • To advertise the program, SLRC will begin airing teasers and tailors in June 2022.
  • SLRC has full rights to upload such content to SLRC’s You Tube Channel and Face Book with Rupavahini Logo for monetize basis.
  • SLRC assist the production team in obtaining celebrities or to facilitate the production team to get celebrities and under no circumstances.
  • SLRC will telecast the 17 episodes of the program for 30 minutes every Sunday on Rupavahini and Nethra TV prerecorded episodes, and the Grand Finale episode of the program on Rupavahini and Nethra TV prerecorded episodes.
  • With the help of S4IG SLRC will publicate the programme through social media posts and shall provide 15 minutes Nugasewana discussion per week as the television publication.
  • For seasons 4 and 5 of the Supreme Chef reality series, SLRC will continue to support S4IG.
  • SLRC shall have the re-telecast right of the programme during two(02) years after telecast of 01st episode but without paying any payment to S4IG.
Memorandum of Understanding- Rupavahini and S4IG: MOU - Rupavahini.pdf

National Youth Services Council (NYSC) agreed to the following with the collaboration of Skills for Inclusive Growth Program.

Professional cookery course that is accredited or industry standard, as well as standard professional chefs, are available in the region.

Delivery of industry-validated professional Pastry, Bakery, and Confectionery programme in one of the NYSC center.

Engage and participate Season 3 of Supreme Chef - Youth Edition features a national competition for culinary students.

NYSC collaborate with S4IG and involve in the ToT program and deliver/test the brand-new industry-standard foundational televisual skills courses.

NYSC collaborate with SLTDA and external consultants to develop the concept of Trail for promoting tourism attraction in selected district using inclusive theme.

NYSC collaborate with S4IG to build a 200-kilometer path connecting Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Trincomalee, Batticaloa, and Ampara in order to stimulate inclusive tourism destination development.

NYSC collaborate with S4IG, SLTDA, and the private sector to select and build two "Trail" routes that will be used by tour and destination promoters as a tourist business model.

With the collaboration of S4IG organize a short-film competition as a reality program.

In collaboration with S4IG Promote of Regional Authentic Art and Music Instruments as Tour Products.

Memorandum of Understanding- NYSC and S4IG: Sri Lanka Youth - MOU.pdf

The Sri Lanka Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management (SLITHM) is the only approved premier institute in Sri Lanka offering courses in both hotel and hospitality as well as travel and tourism.

The governing body of SLITHM includes Industry experts, highly academic experts and policy makers with years of experience behind them. They play a key role in the management of the entire organization. They work in collaboration with the ACADAMIC AND non-academic staff ensuring the proper administration of the academic.

MOU aligned with the bilateral agreement between Sri Lanka government and Australian government which implements under the State Ministry of Skills Development, Vocational Education, Research & Innovation. In line with their organizational mandates, all parties agree to cooperate in working towards supporting in the three major areas which are some of the avenues Skills for Inclusive Growth – Phase II operates viz.

  1. Professional Business Coaching - Produce and make available highly skilled professional business coaches to serve as a growth partner for micro, small, and medium-sized business owners, assisting in the growth and scalability of the business.
  2. E Tourism - Produce skilled and capable E Tourism experts from the owners and managers of tourism MSMEs.
  3. Tour Guiding - Development of an international standard, industry-recognized national tour guide and Area guide curriculum, installation of the same in existing national guides, and use of this in future tour guide courses.
  4. Foundational Hospitality Skills - Butler-style Foundational Hospitality Skills Course Package will be implemented at SLITHM.
  5. Supreme Chef Season 3 - Youth Edition hosts a national event for culinary students.
Memorandum of Understanding- SLITHM and S4IG: SLITHM MOU.pdf

Established in 1973, FCCISL is the apex body for Sri Lankan businesses. It is the most widespread business organisation with member bodies from all districts and provinces of Sri Lanka. As an umbrella organisation of the private sector, the FCCISL plays a key role in promoting business and industry in the country by providing members with a wide spectrum of services. These range from advisory, consultative, promotional, information-sharing and representative services.

Since 2017 S4IG has worked with FCCISL to support inclusive economic growth opportunities along the tourism value chain via an integrated approach to skills development in four districts (Trincomalee, Ampara, Batticaloa, and Polonnaruwa). FCCISL has coordinated all four District Chambers to implement workplace based Foundational Hospitality Skills Development programs. It has ensured the development of industry validated curriculum/modules, as well as ensured quality delivery of the modules by assessing and issuing certificates to successful participants.

The following are the main objectives of the S4IG and FCCISL partnership:

  • FCCISL will play a key role in modelling ‘Sri Lanka Professional Business Coaches’
  • Facilitate and market coaching as a business service to FCCISL members as a means to improve business strategy and planning, as well as deliver improved revenues to stimulate employment
  • Implement a self-funded licensing system to assure the quality of coaching services. This will assure quality through demonstration of coaching services, assessment of coaches and support development of a pool of business coaches who are able to support business services on a fee-for-service basis
  • Develop industry licensing as a requirement for course assessment with selected training institutions and Universities that have agreed to implement the professional coach training course
  • Promote enterprise-based training including the foundational hospitality multitasker course to MSMEs
  • Work with NAITA to develop owners and managers as certified trainers and assessors who can deliver the foundational hospitality multitasker course
  • Work with WFP, MOH and curriculum writers to develop the certified safe food handling credential and training course under an NCS standard format

The Chefs Guild of Lanka is an association of professional chefs committed to the professional development of all chefs and cooks in Sri Lanka. Initiated in 1988, it has grown over the past two decades and now boasts membership from over 180 hotels across the nation. The Chefs Guild of Lanka received its charter into The World Association of Chefs Societies (WACS) at the World Congress in Frankfurt in 1992, as the 37th member nation.

The following are the main objectives of the S4IG and Chefs Guild of Lanka partnership:

  • Develop and accredit a Professional Cookery Training Course
  • Register the Chef’s Guild of Sri Lanka as a training institute with TVEC and develop a national network of industry trainers and assessors
  • Facilitate the selection of industry Trainers and Assessors to support delivery of professional cookery with government training agencies
  • Plan and deliver the Professional Cookery Training Course in selected training institutions using innovative and inclusive audition/selection processes. Include placement and employment services for those that achieve competence and complete the training requirements
  • Upskill selected NAITA/VTA trainers in selected training centres to implement the revised professional cookery course
  • Approve 12 week (96 hours) Professional Cookery Course for existing and interested chefs in identified regions to support upskilling and ongoing professional development
  • Enable individuals trained or upskilled by the Chef’s Guild to be certified and absorbed into their membership
  • Support S4IG, VTA and NAITA to facilitate and judge the ‘Supreme Chef – Youth Edition' in 2021 and 2022
  • Produce a comprehensive professional Pastry Chef Course to be delivered from 2022 Approve functional English integration modules/activities into the Professional Cookery Training Course


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Email: enquiries[at]inclusivegrowth.com.lk
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