May/June 2003

Infrastructure Development - Employment

Skills Development for Masons

The major constraint for good quality and speedy implementation of construction work such as houses, toilets, wells, schools and community centres, irrigation structures, culverts and causeways and drainage systems are the lack of trained craftsmen. There are not enough skilled village masons and carpenters available. Many men who work in construction do not have proper knowledge and many of them do not know how to use tools when they are working. The lack of qualified craftsmen delays development work.

To facilitate the IFSP programme 2003 and to improve the skills of local craftsmen a short-term intensive training was organised. For two days 27 masons from the Sinhalese and Tamil communities joined in a skill’s development and training workshop at the Gomarankadawela DS Office. Licensed master masons and technical advisers from CCF Sri Lanka, a local NGO, organised the theoretical and practical sessions. Practical exercises were done in Madawachchiya where toilet construction had commenced earlier.

The workshop covered the following topics: Understanding and reading drawings, preparing concrete, preparing cement-sand mix, organising of work, foundation works, methods of brick and block works, bending of iron bars, shuttering for concrete works, plastering and rendering, basic techniques for making footings, columns, beams and slabs.

The participants were very satisfied with the workshop which provided them with a clear understanding of their trade as mason. The workshop contributed to IFSP’s efforts to promote local employment and income opportunities for village development.

Infrastructure Development

Developing the social and production infrastructure requires sound planning. IFSP has developed special skills and experience which is to be shared with government institution, non-government organisations and community based organisations in particular. Plans for e.g. low cost houses, toilets, pre-schools and community centres, primary schools, culverts, rural roads, irrigation structures and minor tanks development in particular are available on the computer. IFSP staff and officers from partner institutions were trained in 'computer aided design' (CAD). This method makes it easy to adjust plans according to the standards of different institutions, budgets and local needs. IFSP is presently finalising a catalogue which includes all designs, plans, bill of quantities and brief description of structural works.