The chapter has a request from a professional in Sri Lanka who is leading a project to up-skill the youth under a US AID project. This is a four-year program which supports USAID’s goal to increase the employ-ability of youth in Sri Lanka.

Main objectives of the project are,

  • Improving access to employment opportunities,
  • Increasing the prospects of successful self-employment,
  • Improving the quality and relevancy of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET)

Four sectors with high employment potential have been identified for improvements: They are,

  • Tourism and hospitality,
  • Construction,
  • ICT, and
  • Healthcare

They seek volunteer experts in each industry with experience in curricula development to review the existing curricula and course materials offered by the Ministry of Skills Development and Vocational Training, Sri Lanka’.

This scope of work is designed to aid the council in the rapid review of existing curricula and identify the need for development of new curricula

The International Curriculum Adviser will oversee and guide the process to develop a refined course list and curricula in a priority sector—including the amount of soft skills (e.g. presentation skills, English, computer literacy, etc.) needed for each course. The curriculum Adviser will manage a small team to implement this activity, including a Sri Lankan curricula expert who will help ensuring that the course materials are adjusted to Sri Lankan culture and needs

Responsibilities

The International Curriculum Adviser will:

  1. Review the ICT industry vocational curricula currently used  by the ministry
  2. Identify relevant international best practice curricula
  3. Work closely with the local curricula development expert, provided by the skills council’s members to ensure any recommendations are adapted to the Sri Lankan context
  4. Make recommendations to the skills council on the overall set of courses that should be available
  5. Make recommendations to the skills council on
    • The depth of technical information and apprenticeship training that should be included in each course
    • The type and degree of foundation skills needed for each course
    • The structure, timing, and duration of each course (as necessary)
    • The evaluation of students; and
    • Teaching styles and teacher qualifications (as necessary)
  6. Incorporate gender-specific recommendations from the gender volunteer expert (as needed)
  7. Work with the subject specialist(s) to introduce the concept of Green Curricula where feasible
  8. Encourage and support the skills council’s efforts to advocate for curricula implementation and reform on behalf of the industry.

Qualifications

The Volunteer Expert/Adviser should have significant experience in vocational curricula development and implementation in the ICT sector. English language fluency required. Work experience in developing countries is preferred.

Working conditions and expenses

Volunteering work is expected to be for a period of three months, and early start is much appreciated

While volunteer experts do not receive a salary or wage for their contribution, the TEVET Sri Lanka will reimburse their out-of-pocket travel expenses and pay an allowance to cover other expenses, such as  accommodation, local transport and meals etc.

Expression of interest

If you are interested in this opportunity to serve as a volunteer, please contact chapter_secretaty@ieslnsw.org  , do not send your  resume or other details. We will forward your details to Colombo for further discussions.

Please share this information with those who would be interested in taking up this opportunity