State enterprises must invest in T&D to revive: Eran

13 October 2015 04:18 am Views - 1774

By Shabiya Ali Ahlam
Investing in new skills and higher allocation for training and development (T&D) is essential, according to the new State Enterprise Development Deputy Minister, if the nation’s state-owned enterprises (SOEs) are to revive and become profitable ventures. 

“Gone wrong over the years is that there have been severe under-investment in the public sector on training and development. It is not only skills, education and training, but it is imperative for our public sector workers to have foreign exposure as well. It’s time to focus on this key ingredient. 

Without investing in our people we cannot expect better results. People are what they are because of the opportunity or the lack of opportunity they have. That’s the paradigm shift we require,” said Deputy Minister Eran Wickramaratne.

As the new government aims at enabling SOEs to fulfil the objective of delivering high quality goods and services at competitive prices, he stressed the need to bring from out the required skill set if the existing talent pool lacks it.

While the ministry highlights T&D as an essential component in boosting productivity and performance of state enterprises, the companies along with their boards of directors are left to decide as to how much be allocated for the purpose.

Noting it is imperative to make state sector employees financially independent, Wickramaratne professed, “Employees understanding their role and what are expected of them is what will bring about change in the system. Else we will keep hearing cliché like privatisation is the solution. The problem is more complex and deep rooted but it can be solved.”

Looking at the bigger picture, the minister expressed confidence in Sri Lanka taking its place in the South East Asian league as a front runner in 25 years’ time, only if it makes the “right decisions”.

Failing to do so, he cautioned, the nation will keep comparing itself with South Asia and make very little progress.

“Necessary is a change in mindset. We must not let people approach SEOs with a political agenda. We need to identify the economic agenda and move forward. It’s time we be more about it,” stated Wickramaratne.