Business
Hayleys Plantations empowers Field Officers with pioneering NVQ and Skills Passport programme
The Hayleys Plantations Sector set a new benchmark for human resource development with the successful awarding of Sri Lanka’s first-ever National Skills Passport (NSP) and National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) to Field Officers.
Enhancing their competencies around sustainable plantations business operations, 70 Field Officers from Kelani Valley Plantations PLC (KVPL), Talawakelle Tea Estates PLC (TTEL) and Horana Plantations PLC (HPL) successfully completed the programme.
At the convocation ceremony, Hayleys Plantations Managing Director, Dr. Roshan Rajadurai stated, “Our mission at Hayleys Plantations is to enable a new approach to Plantations Management, merging experience-based knowledge with advanced technical knowledge.
“With the introduction of the NVQ and Skills Passport, we are helping our team elevate their capabilities and expertise, in order to build a vibrant, digitally empowered workforce. I congratulate each member of the team on completing these programmes, and look forward to seeing them develop as leading plantations Field Officers in the country, continuing their professional development and making a difference on-ground.”
The programmes are a four-partite initiative between the Employers Federation of Ceylon (EFC), International Labour Organisation (ILO) – Colombo Office, National Apprentice and Industrial Training Authority (NAITA) and Tertiary and Vocational Education Commission (TVEC). The technical support provided from National Apprentice and Industrial Training Authority (NAITA), was launched under the guidance of the Skills Development, Employment and Labour Relations Ministry.
Field staff members at Hayleys Plantations with over a year’s experience and commendable performance records were selected and evaluated by NAITA on theoretical and practical aspects. On completing the programme, the first batch of Field Officers were awarded NVQ certificates and a Digital Skills Passport smart card with a QR code, facilitating convenient online access to their skills portfolio.
“Given the success of the first phase, we are confident that the NVQ Skills Passport will help empower our team to innovate new solutions to resolve long-standing challenges in our industry. Moving forward, we are committed to continuously upholding and enhancing our practices, which have already won national and International acclaim – a commitment that has ensured we are ranked among the top three RPCs in the country,” Kelani Valley Plantations Head/ General Manager HR & Corporate Sustainability, Anuruddha Gamage stated.
A dedicated NSP online portal provides NSP holders with a gateway to find suitable jobs and access to reskilling and upskilling opportunities, locally and internationally. It is connected to employees, employers, qualification bodies and labour market intermediaries.
The NSP is directly linked to the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) platform, which helps recognise informally acquired knowledge, skills and competencies through formal assessments and certifications.
This can be used to help employees create a comprehensive virtual portfolio of skills and qualifications with their references and experience, in alignment with multiple skill assessment frameworks. By enabling access to this e-document, NSP can be a career guide for workers to open future growth opportunities.
A centrepiece of the Sri Lankan economy, the Hayleys Group maintains a global presence across five regions with business interests spanning 16 diverse sectors. Accounting for USD 600 million of the country’s foreign earnings and 4.2% of the nation’s total export income, Hayleys is a champion of sustainable innovation and represents one of Sri Lanka’s most prominent success stories. Hayleys is Sri Lanka’s number one corporate for 2021, as ranked by that nation’s leading business publications.
The Delegation of German Industry and Commerce in Sri Lanka (AHK Sri Lanka) proudly facilitated the first-ever Sri Lankan delegation’s participation at Drupa 2024, the world’s largest trade fair for the printing industry and technology. Held after an eight-year hiatus, Drupa 2024 was a landmark event, marking significant advancements and opportunities in the global printing industry.
AHK Sri Lanka played a pivotal role in organising and supporting the delegation, which comprised 17 members from the Sri Lanka Association for Printers (SLAP), representing eight companies from the commercial, newspaper, stationery printing, and packaging industries. This pioneering effort by AHK Sri Lanka not only showcased the diverse capabilities of Sri Lanka’s printing sector but also facilitated vital bilateral discussions with key stakeholders from the German printing industry.
Business
Unveiling Ayugiri: Browns Hotels & Resorts sets the stage for a new era in luxury Ayurveda Wellness
In a captivating reimagining of luxury wellness tourism, Browns Hotels & Resorts proudly unveiled the exquisite Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort Sigiriya. This momentous occasion, celebrated amidst a vibrant and serene grand opening on the 6th of June, heralds a new chapter in the Ayurveda wellness tourism landscape in Sri Lanka. Nestled amidst 54 acres of unspoiled natural splendour, Ayugiri features 22 exclusive suites and stands out as the only luxury Ayurveda wellness resort in the country offering plunge pools in every room, rendering it truly one-of-a-kind.
The grand opening of Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort was an enchanting event, where guests were captivated by the melodies of flutists and violinists resonating through Sigiriya’s lush landscapes. As traditional drummers and dancers infused the air with vibrant energy, Browns Hotels & Resorts’ CEO, Eksath Wijeratne, Kotaro Katsuki, Acting Ambassador for the Embassy of Japan and General Manager, Buwaneka Bandara, unveiled the resort’s new logo, marking a significant moment witnessed by distinguished guests from the French Embassy, Ayurveda and wellness enthusiasts along with officials from the Sigiriya area, LOLC Holdings and Browns Group.
“Our strategic expansion into wellness tourism with Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort Sigiriya symbolises a significant milestone for Browns Hotels & Resorts. Wellness tourism has consistently outperformed the overall tourism industry for over a decade, reflecting a growing global interest in travel that goes beyond leisure to offer rejuvenation and holistic well-being. By integrating the timeless wisdom of Ayurveda with modern luxury, we aim to set a new standard in luxury wellness tourism in Sri Lanka. Whether your goal is prevention, healing, or a deeper connection to inner harmony, Ayugiri offers a sanctuary for holistic well-being” stated Eksath Wijeratne.
Ayugiri encapsulates the essence of life, inspired by the lotus flower held by the graceful queens of the infamous Sigiriya frescoes. Just as the lotus emerges from the murky depths, untainted and serene,
Ayugiri invites guests on a journey of purity and rejuvenation, harmonised with a balance of mind, body and spirit, the essence of nature, echoes of culture and the wisdom of ancient Ayurvedic healing.
HNB General Insurance, one of Sri Lanka’s leading general insurance providers, has been honored as the Best General Bancassurance Provider in Sri Lanka 2024 by the prestigious Global Banking and Finance Review – UK.
The esteemed accolade underscores HNB General Insurance’s unwavering commitment to excellence and its outstanding performance in the field of bancassurance. Through dedication and hard work, the HNB General Insurance team has continuously endeavored to deliver innovative insurance solutions, cultivate strong relationships with banking partners, and provide unparalleled service to customers nationwide. This recognition is a testament to the team’s dedication and relentless pursuit of excellence in the bancassurance business.
“We are honored to receive this prestigious award, which reflects our team’s tireless efforts and dedication to delivering value-added insurance solutions and exceptional service through our bancassurance partnerships,” said Sithumina Jayasundara, CEO of HNB General Insurance. “This recognition reaffirms our position as a trusted insurance provider in Sri Lanka and motivates us to continue striving for excellence in serving our customers and communities.”
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