PUCSL enters into agreement with District Secretariates to provide free NVQ 3 for electricians, plumbers and solar technicians
Tue, 21 Mar 2023 |

(21st March 2023) – The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL), the regulator of the electricity sector, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the District Secretariat of Matale District today, March 21st, 2023 at the Swiss Hotel, Kandy with the purpose of providing free National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) certification for electricians, plumbers, and solar technicians through recognition of prior learning (RPL) method to strengthen the implementation of National framework of Electricians Licensing in Sri Lanka.

Mr Janaka Ratnayake, Chairman of Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka and Mr. Nishantha karunathilaka, Additional District Secretary (Admin) signed the MoU on behalf of the organizations.

As part of the agreement, PUCSL and the District Secretariat of Matale District will provide NVQ certification to 900 technicians. This initiative will be implemented in 11 Regional Secretariat Divisions in Matale district.

The PUCSL have already entered into agreements with District Secretariates of Kandy , Nuwaraeliya and Badulla and plans to cover all the Districts in the end this year.

The importance of the NVQ certificate in today’s labor market cannot be overstated, as it has become a crucial factor in a professional’s job application process both locally and internationally. Many high-paying job opportunities require this certificate, and it is also essential for those who want to start a business as a successful entrepreneur. However, many skilled technicians who have acquired professional competence through their lineage or other methods have no written evidence to show their competence. This lack of certification limits their job opportunities to a small area of society and daily wage work.

In response to this situation, the project aims to identify skilled artisans in the fields of electricity, plumbing, and solar technology and provide them with NVQ certification through the RPL method based on their previous experience. This program will open up opportunities for these professionals to apply for high-paying local or foreign job opportunities and improve the electricity safety of the nation. Overall, the partnership between PUCSL and the District Secretariat of Matale District will provide a pathway for skilled technicians to receive certification and access broader job opportunities in their respective fields, contributing to the growth and development of Sri Lanka’s economy.

PUCSL have provided the NVQ level 3 qualification to 10,000 electricians in the country to uplift the standard of the electricity industry with the support of USAID funded YouLead project, government authorities and private partners.

PRESS RELEASE