The United States Agency for International Development (USAID), in partnership with the Hambantota District Chamber of Commerce, opened a regional office (YouLead) in Hambantota recently.  

YouLead is a USAID-funded Rs.1.8 billion (US $ 12 million) programme launched in 2017 that will create a more market–oriented, skilled and flexible Sri Lankan workforce. In partnership with the Skills Development and Vocational Training Ministry, as well as the private sector, YouLead will support youth employability and access to sustainable self-employment opportunities in Sri Lanka. 

“USAID is proud to have helped establish the Hambantota Chamber of Commerce in the past and we are proud to renew and continue this partnership under YouLead,” USAID Mission Director Dr. Andrew Sisson said during the opening of the regional centre in Hambantota.

“It is our vision that YouLead’s regional office will become a resource for youth seeking to develop their skills and employment opportunities throughout the region.” 
YouLead focuses on the provinces with the highest rate of youth unemployment—Sabaragamuwa, Central, Southern and Northern Provinces. The first YouLead regional office, located within the Hambantota District Chamber of Commerce office, will work closely with the members of the chamber as well as vocational training institutes run by the public and private sectors in the region to develop partnerships and career development opportunities to support youth employment in the Southern and Sabaragamuwa Provinces. 

The opening of the regional office in Hambantota featured Skills Development and Vocational Training Minister Chandima Weerakkody, Housing and Construction Minister Sajith Premadasa, International Executive Service Corps Vice President and YouLead Project Director Charles Conconi, Hambantota District Chamber of Commerce President D.W. Anura Upul, local government officials and other members of the Hambantota Chamber of Commerce. 

The USAID-funded YouLead programme is administered by Volunteers for Economic Growth Alliance and implemented by the International Executive Service Corps (IESC), an organisation that has worked with hundreds of private enterprises in Sri Lanka since 1965. Under YouLead, the IESC has partnered with the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, American Chamber of Commerce, Arizona State University, Global Communities, Skills for Life and Verité Research.