CIPM hosts industry dialogue on ‘Talent Shortages and Skilled Workforce Gaps’ in SL

The Chartered Institute of Personnel Management, Sri Lanka (CIPM) recently hosted a roundtable discussion with 30 stakeholders from government, academia, vocational training providers, and corporate bodies to examine Sri Lanka’s skills-gap landscape.

The mismatch between industry requirements and workforce competencies has become a challenge to economic growth and competitiveness. Technological change, migration of skilled professionals, shifting labour market dynamics, and gaps in education and vocational training have intensified shortages across sectors including IT, tourism and hospitality, construction, manufacturing, healthcare, and engineering.

Dr. Heather Fernando, Chairperson of CIPM’s Standing Committee – National HR Data Hub with Research and Development Capabilities, outlined the purpose of the dialogue. Facilitated by Dr. Samantha Rathnayake, Senior Lecturer at the Postgraduate Institute of Management, the session was preceded by a presentation on Labour Market Intelligence by Manuja Karunaratne, Principal Information Officer, National Science Foundation.

The presentation covered sector-specific workforce challenges, emerging skill needs, practical strategies, policy implications, and ways to strengthen industry-academia partnerships. Dr. Neil Bogahalanda, Vice President, CIPM, stressed the need for strategic and systemic interventions to align workforce competencies with changing industry demands, strengthen productivity, improve employability, and support long-term economic growth.

Dr. Dilrukshi Herath, Deputy Director, National Vocational Qualification, Tertiary and Vocational Education Commission, said the Commission is focused on developing skills for different industries. Mrs. N. R. Ranawake, Commissioner of Labour, Labour Standards Division, noted that labour reforms and amendments are under discussion.

Neil Abeysekera, CEO, Institution of Engineers, Sri Lanka, said addressing the skills gap must be accompanied by a change in social attitudes toward vocational, technical, and skilled work, so that such professions receive equal dignity and recognition. Prof. Udaya Mohan of the University of Kelaniya emphasized the need to engage unemployed graduates on a freelance basis and consider gig-economy approaches for higher productivity.

Prof. Mangaleshwaran highlighted soft skills as essential for graduate employability and noted that universities have incorporated structured internships to strengthen industry readiness.

The dialogue focused on future labour market dynamics and emerging occupations, technical and vocational education reforms, digital and soft skills development, retention of skilled talent amid migration pressures, public-private partnerships, industry-driven curriculum development, and reskilling and upskilling for economic resilience.

J. M. K. N. Jayasooriya, Assistant Commissioner of Labour, Planning, Research, Training and Publication Division, said such dialogues should continue to improve understanding of labour market needs and align human capital development with the requirements of public and private institutions.

Dr. Roshan Niwunhella called for university curricula to be transformed so graduates can adapt to the changing business environment. 

Ken Vijayakumar, Immediate Past President, U. A. C. Obeyesekere, CEO, G. Weeratunga, CEO/Director of Professional and Academic Affairs of CIPM, and K. I. Nimesha Rashikalana of the Labour Department also contributed insights.

Participants agreed that CIPM should continue the dialogue to generate actionable recommendations for sustainable human capital development and national competitiveness through capability building.