Bioforce Development Institute is recognised by the French Government as a charity that assists local construction sector to train skilled young workforce.

Bioforce Director General, Benoit Silve says following a request by the French Red Cross in 2005 in the context of their Tsunami linked programmes, Bioforce evaluated training needs in the construction sector.

As a result of these studies, a training project has been developed, in partnership with the Chamber of Construction Industry of Sri Lanka (CCI). This project is supported and financed by the French Red Cross.

CCI and Bioforce have planned jointly a gradual course of action that will create sustainable employment for young persons, in particular those affected by the Tsunami, build entrepreneurial capacity within the construction industry targeting small and medium enterprises, and significantly increase the number of skilled craftsmen for construction entrepreneurs in Sri Lanka.

Benoit said the developing network of vocational training centres to reach tsunami-affected areas would increase the number of technicians trained in basic and advanced technical skills according to national skills standards. Additional training will encourage employment creation through the capacity building of managers and`A0entrepreneurial skills in the context of construction enterprises.

"We have inaugurated the first training centre in Balapitya and started the actual training of 100 masons. The training will be 6 months, 3 months in the centre and 3 months on the job with local entrepreneurs, said Beniot.

Bioforce and CCI are in contact with construction entrepreneurs, both internationally and here, in participate to this project and extend it to all 4 training vocational centres, and to develop the project beyond the 2 years currently planned.

This programme that Bioforce implement with CCI to help young individuals, especially those affected by Tsunami, is totally supported by the Ministries, which are concerned of the disadvantages faced by Sri Lankan workers in the Middle East, by the lack of qualification and certification, thus lowering wage scale. Furthermore, in the aftermath of the tsunami, lot of construction is required and knowledgeable persons anticipate that major roadwork will commence this year; in that context the programme will bring lot of competent skilled workers, which will reduce the need for expatriates.

The partnership initiated by Bioforce with CCI thus conjugates humanitarian concerns with economic reality to promote both the interests of young Sri Lankan and the economic development of Sri Lanka.

Consolidation of years 1 and 2 which will concentrate on the training programming being self sustaining and autonomous (financial and management aspects). At the macro level it is hoped to stimulate growth and professionalize the construction industry, particularly in the Tsunami affected regions. Other NGO’s who have construction programmes in progress are able to benefit from having more skilled technicians and construction enterprises on hand.