Kusuma Jayasinghe conducting a lecture for CTA students

Sri Lanka’s cinnamon is an important export commodity which plays a vital role in the rural economy, providing revenue and employment to approximately 400,000 people. Although Sri Lanka is one of the biggest cinnamon exporters globally, it is facing a dearth of trained personnel and good manufacturing practices (GMP)-certified centres to meet its future growth plans. The government’s ambitious plan for larger cinnamon exports is positioning the sector as an attractive employer for job seekers seeking stable and fairly paid jobs after gaining specialized skills.

The establishment of the Cinnamon Training Academy (CTA) marks a pivotal step towards enhancing an industry in which Sri Lanka has a competitive edge. The CTA aspires to be a centre of excellence, among many services, through its training programmes for the cinnamon industry, an advantage that can be availed of by new recruits. 

The United Nations Industrial Development Organisation in coordination with the Spice Council (TSC), Export Agriculture Department, Tertiary and Vocational Education Commission and Export Development Board has developed a National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) for cinnamon factory operations and field operations and competency-based training (CBT) framework, which provides a nationally recognized and certified workforce for the industry. 

The course content is programmed to build competencies in performing different tasks identified for cinnamon factory and field operations accredited under the Tertiary and Vocational Education Commission (TVEC). This training is a pioneering and unique effort of the stakeholders in the spice industry, focused to establish a unified cinnamon growing and processing system. The training programmes will also support the industry to enhance quality and food safety compliance to sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures, which are mandatory in the high-end markets that Sri Lanka is targeting. CTA student Ganga Jayalath commented, “Although I gained adequate knowledge about cinnamon harvesting and processing after working for several years in the industry, I was unable to achieve any recognition or career progression without a formal certification to prove my skills. However, the CTA has changed that situation. Once I complete my training at the CTA, I will receive an accredited certificate, which will help my career progression and I could even go on to certify as a trainer in the industry.” 

CTA Instructor Kusuma Jayasinghe said, “Today, we make cinnamon with traditional technology which, although hygienic, does not meet the high standards in some global markets. However, at the CTA, we teach students about new technology in the cinnamon industry and train them on how to produce the highest quality Ceylon cinnamon. If we can grow and process cinnamon with this new technology, we will earn more foreign exchange for the sector, which will enhance the status of its workforce. 
In order to attract more cinnamon workers, an insurance scheme is being proposed through the CTA to further upgrade their benefits.” 
The CTA is playing a pivotal role in fostering the Ceylon cinnamon industry as well as retaining and attracting more workers by promoting new job opportunities and enhancing working conditions by delivering systematic training with a nation-wide accepted certification, so that the workers too take pride in working for an industry, which is an agricultural and economic mainstay of the nation.

In conclusion, Rajiv Walawage from Imaduwa, Galle and currently employed at K.T.J. Kumara (Pvt.) Ltd added, “When I enrolled in the CTA, I had no idea about cinnamon or how this training would contribute to achieve gains in my employment. However, in the very short time I have been here, I have learnt the entire process - from the nursery stage to the exporting stage. The CTA training programme is very useful and it has provided me with comprehensive training and certification.  Training at the CTA has truly been a great experience, as the instructors here at knowledgeable and very supportive.” 
On completion of the training at the CTA, successful trainees can expect to be absorbed immediately into the cinnamon sector in which the CTA plays also a major role.
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Students at the CTA facility examining the cinnamon quills