A Sri Lankan chamber in association with the Export Development Board (EDB) is working with an Australian chamber to develop skilled craftsmen here who would then work in Australia and based on performance be eligible for permanent residency.

Discussions on these lines were held by a 10-member trade delegation of the Sri Lanka Chamber of Small Industry led by President Aloy Jayawardene in Queensland and Tasmania. The delegation were guests of the Chamber of Commerce, Queensland and the Tasmania Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Hobart, according to a chamber press release.

The project under discussion is being prepared by the EDB and will be forwarded to the Queensland chamber. “We need government support,” Mr. Jayawardene said. “We will request the Sri Lankan government to give us the land and building. From the Australian side, they will send the trainers with their tools and accessories.”

He said the training will be using Australian tools and will be for two years with the trainees having Advanced Level education in Maths and Science subjects and a very good knowledge of English.
Once they qualify, they will get their visa to Queensland and work for three years and if they perform well they could apply for permanent residency. Mr Jayawardene said he was confident the project would be realised within a year.

The delegation first met the Queensland chamber and the meeting was chaired by Ms. Beatrice Booth, President of the Chamber and some 20 business personalities were present. Mr. Jayawardene who had visited the chamber in early 2007 had then discussed the launch of a training institute to train unskilled labour- carpenters, electricians, plumbers, welders, etc.

In Tasmania, the delegation met Damon Thomas, CEO of Tasmania Chamber of Commerce & Industry and other officials. The chamber said that the outcome of the visit is that two members of the delegation were able to establish contacts to do business. Alucop Cables, part of the Sierra Group, contacted a reputed construction company for the supply of cables and subsequently has been able to execute their first trial order while a second order for US$100,000 is due in October.

Oscar Engineering Pvt Ltd has been able to explore prospects of exporting aluminum castings and expects regular orders of over US$25,000, the chamber said.