When the Skills for Inclusive Growth (S4IG) program concluded in November 2024, it left behind a lasting impact on Sri Lanka’s bustling tourism sector. Over nine years, the initiative spurred sustainable job creation, boosted incomes and promoted inclusive growth, all while helping reshape vocational training – and even inspiring a successful television show.

A Strategic Partnership for Skills Development

Launched in 2016 as a collaboration between the Australian and Sri Lankan Governments, S4IG aimed to address skill gaps in tourism while fostering inclusivity, particularly for women and people with disability.

Tourism is Sri Lanka’s top performing growth sector. In the first half of 2024, over one million tourists visited Sri Lanka, generating US $1.5 billion in revenue and creating employment opportunities. While this represents an improvement from 2023, it still falls short of pre-pandemic tourist numbers recorded in 2018.

Recognising the need for a skilled workforce, S4IG’s first phase prioritised identifying skill and training gaps. Building on studies by the World Bank (2014) and the Sri Lankan Government (2018) the program pinpointed shortages in areas such as surf instructors, pool attendants, pastry chefs, and digital operations. Employers also highlighted the need for improved foundational skills including problem-solving, communication, and customer service, which are critical for enhancing visitor experiences.

Rather than directly funding training programs, S4IG focused on demonstrating scalable models for a more adaptive and sustainable skills development system. By introducing innovative vocational training methods and providing technical assistance, the program influenced Sri Lanka’s National Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) system and supported countless businesses. In phase one alone, S4IG directly supported 129 enterprises, with 87 reporting increased revenue and 89 improving operational performance across guesthouses, beauty salons, surf clubs, and tour groups. Additionally, the initiative created self-employment opportunities, particularly for surf instructors and tuk tuk tour guides.

Driving Impact Through Creative Media

One of S4IG’s most unexpected successes was its role in launching ‘Supreme Chef,’ a television cooking competition that expanded the program’s reach and sparked nation-wide interest in vocational training.

Inspired by Master Chef Australia, S4IG launched the Supreme Chef television show in 2018, attracting an audience of over 200,000 viewers. The show immediately raised the profile of cookery skills, with professional cookery course enrolments surging from 30 to over 650 across four partner districts.

Over the course of three seasons, Supreme Chef became a national platform for culinary excellence, creativity, and innovation. Aspiring chefs from all over Sri Lanka participated in rigorous competitions, honing their skills and gaining exposure. Each season featured unique challenges, guest judges, and mentorship opportunities, with widespread media coverage on national television and online platforms. The winners of each season were also rewarded with upskilling courses with renowned international chefs or culinary schools.

For season three, which took place during S4IG’s second phase, both public and private vocational training schools got involved. Broadcast by the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation, the show reached its widest audience yet, and many participants subsequently secured positions in leading restaurants and hotels both in Sri Lanka and internationally. S4IG also facilitated training opportunities for young chefs with Le Cordon Bleu Dusit Culinary School in Bangkok, Thailand. These young participants – including season three winner Kumudu Kanchana - are now working for private sector tourism establishments in Sri Lanka, thanks to their internationally recognised culinary skills.

‘We will continue implementing the innovative recruitment procedures and processes introduced by S4IG,’ explains Rushita Nilan Delapola, Director of Technical and Vocational Training at Sri Lanka’s National Youth Services Council (NYSC).

’We plan to introduce a local version of the Supreme Chef culinary competition among NYSC-trained young individuals in professional cookery, pastry, and bakery. Lastly, we are committed to promoting gender inclusiveness and disability inclusion across all vocational training and youth development programs.’

A Legacy of Inclusion and Opportunity

Throughout its nine-year tenure, S4IG championed inclusive economic development, particularly for marginalised communities. One of its most groundbreaking achievements was the introduction of EQUITAS (Ensuring Quality Inclusion, Transferring Access and Success), Sri Lanka’s first program dedicated to connecting people with disability to career paths and employment through skills matching, vocational training, and qualifications.

A critical component of EQUITAS was the introduction of the Reasonable Adjustment framework, developed by S4IG and endorsed by Sri Lanka’s Tertiary and Vocational Education Commission. This framework ensures that vocational training programs and assessments accommodate the needs of people with disability, creating an inclusive learning environment where participants can succeed without barriers.

EQUITAS’ success underscores S4IG’s broader impact—laying the foundation for a replicable, inclusive model for training that can be adapted across multiple sectors. While the program may have officially ended, its influence on Sri Lanka’s tourism sector and vocational training landscape is set to endure for years to come.

More information and resources can be found at: Skills for Inclusive Growth – Skills for Inclusive Growth