Government to Government Cooperation

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT)

Skills for Inclusive Growth (S4IG) operates under the management of Palladium on behalf of the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). S4IG was established as a comprehensive integrated program focused on DFAT's ‘Economic Opportunities for the Poor’ (EOP) initiative. The EOP aims to increase incomes of the poor and marginalised by addressing constraints such as:

access to finance and markets
market linkages and technology
skills gaps and forecasting supporting workforce development
the absence of coordinated and inclusive policy reform and implementation.

S4IG initiatives are aligned with Australia’s new aid paradigm of promoting the role of the private sector in fostering economic growth and reducing poverty. S4IG brings a particular focus on improving the access of women and people with disabilities to skills and business development opportunities. We directly support the Government of Sri Lanka’s (GoSL) current prioritisation of labour skills development, tourism development, and inclusive regional development.

Government of Sri Lanka (GoSL)

Skills development is currently one of the key priorities of the Government of Sri Lanka (GoSL). This has culminated in the establishment of a National Vision, ‘Vistas of Prosperity and Splendour’, launched by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa in 2020. The President has also named 2020 – 2030 the ‘Decade of Skills Development’, paving the way for the S4IG program to support the Government’s vision in improving the country’s skills base through vocational and industrial training, leading to increased productivity, efficiency, quality and earning capacity of the workforce.

Our demand-driven and inclusive skills development models align with these key aspects of Decade of Skills Development 2020-2030:

That vocational education provision be internationally equivalent and aligned with global standards
That training improves the skills base to increase the productivity, efficiency and earning capacity
That the Tertiary and Vocational Education Commission (TVEC) support lifelong learning and offer continuing education including ‘refresher courses’ and upskilling the workforce
That TVET provides flexible learning opportunities through online education, weekend courses, workplace learning so that employees can acquire new knowledge and skills, without disrupting their work and earnings.