International Development Grant
PRET - Opportunities for Training in Needed Skills
Project Number: CA-3-A034376001
Status: Closed
Country/Region:
Maximum Contribution: $4,729,992.00
Start Date: March 17, 2009
End Date: May 15, 2014
Duration: 5.2 years
Project Description
This multi-donor project builds on the success of previous PRET initiatives. It moves beyond the provision of training to focus on the priorities set out in Sri Lanka's ten-year development plan and the Ministry of Vocational and Technical Training's ten-year plan which provides the necessary conditions for sustainable vocational training opportunities as a means to combat poverty reduction. The project increases the acceptance of appropriate skills development for marginalized populations. It promotes the sharing of knowledge among key stakeholders on the effectiveness of the PRET training model and improves coordination between the government donors and implementing agents to better support the training. The project continues to develop the capacity of key vocational training partners and work with communities and employers to improve trainees' ability to access dignified and sustainable employment opportunities.
Progress & Results Achieved
Results achieved as of March 2013 include: (i) 18 vocational training providers are now offering 31 officially accredited courses; (ii) 121 of 250 vocational training providers received materials to improve their knowledge of methodologies for skills development and are using them to develop courses; (iii) training was delivered to 219 personnel for training program assessment; (iv) 380 employers provided placements for vocational training graduates in 2010-2011; (v) 61% of the first cohort of vocational training graduates (136 women and 339 men) are employed; (vi) the average monthly salary of trainees increased from LKR 2200 (CDN $22) to LKR 10 216 (CDN $88); (vii) the overall employment rate was 68% and women’s employment rose to 52%; and (viii) the Vocational Training Providers Consortia at the district level was supported to provide strong vocational training sector coordination. These are contributing to better socio-economic conditions through increased employment of marginalized under/unemployed women and youth; and increased community government and private sector support for skills development and more opportunities for equitable employment for the target groups.
Key Information
Executing Agency:
WUSC - World University Service of Canada
Reporting Organization:
Global Affairs Canada
Program:
OGM Indo-Pacific
Last Modified:
September 19, 2025
Development Classifications
DAC Sector:
Aid Type: Project-type interventions
Collaboration: Bilateral
Finance Type: Aid grant excluding debt reorganisation
Selection Mechanism:
Pre-APP