Delivering Competencies to SMEs holders gained through AAF Program – 2015 in Monash

The National Human Resources Development Council (NHRDC) of Sri Lanka, under the Ministry of National Policies and Economic Affairs, has targeted empowering Small and Medium Industries’ holders through conducting training programs in selected districts. Soon after I participated at the Entrepreneurship Development Program which held on 12^th September – 19^th October 2015 in Monash University in Australia, the empowerment of small and medium entrepreneur development programme has developed by me and targeted SMEs in the villages. I hope after improved my skills in SMEs development, I am applying to implement with using Public and Private Partnership method to do it continually.

These training programs were held five districts and targeted another two districts with the objective of enhancing of skills of SME entrepreneurs in Administration, Financial Management, Market Identification, Managerial Issues and Strategies and Policy Framework (Tax, Audit, and Registration). 

No	District	Male	Female	Total	Year
1	Polonnaruwa	21	65	86	2015
2	Kandy	50	20	70
3	Mattara	37	59	96
4	Gampaha	75	41	116	2016
5	Kalutara	25	77	102
6	Kurunagale (Planned)			150
7	Puttalam (Planned)			150

At the above mentioned training programs a total of 470 SME entrepreneurs participated; 86 from Polonnaruwa, 96 from Matara and 70 from Kandy, 116 from Gampaha and 77 from Kalutara. These entrepreneurs are engaged different business in the divisional and district level and engaged in self-employment projects including Industrial (Manufacturing: Bricks, Carpentry, Spice products, Tailoring, Construction), Services (Saloon, Garages, Technicians, Black Smith workshop, wholesale & retail trade, pawning center, welding, astrology, Restaurants, homes & car sales, rent a car) and Agriculture (Livestock, Plantation, Horticulture).At the end of the training program Certificates were distributed to the participants.

 In common, there were not proper data set or profile of the small and medium entrepreneurs (SMEs) developed when we requested from selected district and divisional secretariats. And also SMEs holder still have not proper network with the relevant stakeholders and service providers in the village areas. As well as, SMEs in Sri Lanka encounter many challenges such as financial management, access to available services, networking with other institutes, marketing and promoting their products, and skills development with technical improvement.

So, these training program provided a foundation to overcome these barriers. Many entrepreneurs are unsuccessful due to inappropriate management of finance. This is one of the major causes for the failure of businesses in Sri Lanka. Most of the entrepreneurs who participated at the training agreed that the training will add immense value to carry out the business efficiently and effectively. The program targeted business promotion through financial control, tax management and legal issue. In addition, finding market opportunities and numerous relevant aspects were considered when conducting the training program.

There are seven (7) training programme conducted in five districts, in particular  the following objectives were achieved by the participants through this training program : Development of skills in Administration, Financial, Market Identification, Process, Managerial Issues, Strategies and Policy Framework (Tax, Audit, and Registration)/Development of a networking with local level  as well as public and private sector service institutions to build capacities of SMEs (Eg: Chamber of Commerce, District and Divisional level SME officers and so on ).Building of  entrepreneurial culture by training, network and private sector engagement. Also NHRDC have been developing the profile of SMEs holders and we are creating networks among the service providers (NHB, Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, Ministry of Women Affairs, ILO, District SME division, District and Divisional Secretariats and etc.) and SMEs holders.

E.A.C. Vidanagamachchi, GA Matara, light the traditional lamp and launched the program, 23^rd December 2015.

Entrepreneurs expressed their gratitude to the NHRDC and District and divisional officers for conducting the SME development training program and requested to conducts similar programs in future to develop their market, networking and other relevant skills. 

News Link: http://www.ft.lk/article/518610/NHRDC-strengthens-capacity-of-SME