PUCSL signs MOU under USAID-funded project to upskill 45,000 electricians

The Publ i c U t i l i t i e s Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL), the electricity sector regulator, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding ( MOU) with USAID’s youth employment and entrepreneurship project, YouLead to provide professional qualification to 45,000 electricians.

This initiative aims to channel joint efforts to support and upskill Sri Lankan youth in the electricity sector, and to encourage entrepreneurship to tackle the issue of youth unemployment in Sri Lanka, the PUCSL said in a statement.

“This is one of the largest youth empowerment projects in Sri Lanka, where we provide opportunities for young electricians to obtain a professional qualification without any cost. When a young electrician is certified with a l eve l t h ree Nat i o n a l Vocational Qualification ( NVQ3) in the programme he or she will be able to easily find local or foreign employment, achieve better career recognition and will be able to move up in the career ladder,” said Janaka Ratnayake, PUCSL Chairman.

“YouLead aims to promote and encourage vocational education among youth in Sri Lanka. Providing a national vocational qualification for experienced electricians through the Recognition of Prior Learning ( RPL) programme will not only help professionalise the electricians’ trade but also provide qualified electricians with more opportunities to help safeguard lives and property through safer electrical installations,” added Ms. Vindya Silva, Partnerships Director, YouLead.

The partnership intends to collaborate and leverage technical capabilities, resources, network, and the reach of each other, with the objective of certifying electricians through recognition of prior learning ( RPL) process to support young electricians to obtain National Vo c a t i o n a l Qualification ( NVQ Level 03) and to practice in the electrician occupation island-wide.

With the signing of the MOU, PUCSL and YouLead will jointly support and facilitate the national level electrician licensing programme led by PUCSL though vocational training and awareness, conducting of training workshops and supporting the RPL certification process across all 25 districts in Sri Lanka.

It is estimated that Sri Lanka has about 45,000 electricians and about 80 percent of them do not have a recognised professional qualification, which is an obstacle to their professional development. It is also essential for electricians to obtain NVQ3 as it is recognised as the minimum qualification for obtaining electrician license. Most of the electricians are reluctant to take long- term courses and pay for them as they depend on their profession as their source of income. To address the issue, the PUCSL together with Tertiary and Vocational Education Commission ( TVEC) and the Vocational Training Authority ( VTA) introduced a three- day programme for electricians in Sri Lanka to obtain NVQ3 without any costs and within a minimum time period.

YouLead is a USAID-funded project in Sri Lanka that aims to improve youth technical and vocational education, with the purpose of creating a skilled workforce, linking youth to productive careers, and encouraging entrepreneurship. The project undertakes activities to support and strengthen students, teachers, institutions and entrepreneurs.