Nursing care training equips SL youth with essential skills to pursue job opportunities here and in Japan

A major milestone was achieved with the successful completion of the Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) – Nursing Care training programme by 200 youth from across Sri Lanka, equipping them with essential skills to pursue job opportunities both locally and in Japan, International Labour Organization (ILO) said.

The latest cohort of 55 students received their certificates at a ceremony held in Kandy, attended by senior officials including Isomata Akio, the Ambassador of Japan, Joni Simpson, Director of the ILO Country Office for Sri Lanka and the Maldives, and officials from the National Youth Services Council (NYSC).

The SSW programme, conducted by the National Youth Services Council in collaboration with the ILO and Together with Youth, empowers Sri Lankan youth with training tailored for Japan’s growing demand for nursing care professionals. The programme is part of a broader effort to connect Sri Lankans with employment opportunities in Japan’s care sector, one of the country’s most in-demand industries. While Sri Lanka has been allocated a significant quota for nursing care professionals under the SSW scheme, only a small portion of this quota has been filled, leaving ample potential for expansion in the future.

During the ceremony, Ambassador Isomata Akio highlighted the strong historical ties between Japan and Sri Lanka and underscored the significant role the SSW programme plays in facilitating bilateral cooperation. “The Specified Skilled Worker programme provides an exceptional opportunity for youth to contribute to both Sri Lanka and Japan, while advancing their own aspirations,” he said. “I encourage young people to continuously improve themselves, refine their skills, including their Japanese language proficiency, and strive for ongoing personal and professional growth.”

The ILO’s UPLIFT project, which aims to increase employability and access to labor markets through skills enhancement and work-based learning, plays a critical role in the success of the SSW programme. By upskilling youth, especially those at risk of irregular migration, the UPLIFT project provides a pathway to dignified, safe migration and decent employment opportunities. This approach directly addresses the global demand for care professionals while promoting gender equality in the workforce.

Joni Simpson, Director of the ILO Country Office for Sri Lanka and the Maldives, emphasized the importance of the programme, especially in light of the challenges youth have faced due to the COVID-19 pandemic and Sri Lanka’s ongoing economic crisis. “The Nursing Care Specified Skilled Worker Programme establishes a critical pathway to securing decent work in the global care workforce. This training programme is timely and critical, not only in terms of much-needed jobs, skills, and safe migration for Sri Lankan youth, but also for addressing the global demand for paid care services and contributing to gender equality at work,” she said.

The UPLIFT project, which is jointly implemented by the ILO and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and financed by the Government of Japan, plays a pivotal role in this initiative. It aims to ensure that Sri Lankans have access to decent work opportunities and safe migration pathways, aligning with national and global priorities for sustainable development and decent work.

The ILO, as the only tripartite United Nations agency, continues to promote labour standards, develop policies, and implement programmes to ensure decent work for all people worldwide.

The successful training and subsequent employment of Sri Lankan youth in Japan’s nursing care sector reflect the importance of international cooperation and skills development in addressing global labour shortages while providing safe and dignified employment opportunities for migrant workers.