Skills Expo 2025 to address SL’s critical skill shortages across industries

The annual Skills Expo, returning for its third edition in 2025, aims to bridge the growing gap between vocational training and industry demand, the organisers said, as the country faces acute shortages in technical and skilled labour.

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Launched in 2023, Skills Expo has become a key platform to address the mismatch between the education outputs and job market requirements.

According to Tourism Industry Skills Council and Mount Lavinia Hotel Chairman Sanath Ukwatte, the event will focus on sectors from tourism and hospitality to construction, healthcare, manufacturing and IT.

“The expo is designed to guide students and young professionals towards technical and vocational careers that are not only viable but profitable. Youth unemployment remains high, despite the significant vacancies in technical sectors, largely due to a lack of awareness about the opportunities,” said Ukwatte in an interview.