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Maga Signs MOU with Vocational Training Authority on Skills Training

Since the ending of the civil war in year 2009, the increase in local and foreign investments in infrastructure development projects has created an increase in the demand for skilled workers in the construction industry. There have been various initiatives to develop this skilled workforce by the Ministry of Skills Development and Vocational Training.

Vocational Training Authority (VTA) which functions under the above Ministry was established in 1995. The key intention of establishing the Vocational Training Authority was to reach the rural masses of the country (which comprise 72% of the total population of Sri Lanka) and bestow them with necessary skills that will enable their gainful employment both locally and internationally.

Since its inception, VTA has conducted many initiatives to attract unemployed village youth towards the vocations of the construction industry, but has experienced certain reluctance by young men to venture into vocations like masonry, carpentry and bar-bending trades, due to the traditionally negative perceptions and lack of societal recognition. Recent training programs conducted by VTA in joint collaborations with the recognized private companies have yielded better attraction of village youth towards such programs.

Maga Engineering (Pvt) Ltd., since its inception in 1984, has been an active participant in the construction industry in Sri Lanka. Over the course of the last 30 years, they have risen to be become a model construction company in the country, by continually re-investing in knowledge, skills and capital. This has helped them evolve from working under international contractors to presently executing some of the most prestigious building and infrastructure development projects in Sri Lanka.

In order to meet the current and emerging demand for the skilled workers, VTA has recognized Maga as a potential partner in the development of training programs for the above trade categories and use their brand image and the offered job placements to attract unemployed village youth for the proposed training programs.

After several discussions pertaining to practical implementation, both institutions have signed a Memorandum of Understanding on 08 November 2016 at the “Nipunatha Niwasa”. The MoU was signed by Major General Gamini Hettiarachchi, The Chairman & CEO of Vocational Training Authority and Mr. M.G. Kularatne, Chairman & Managing Director of Maga Engineering (Pvt) Ltd.

A total of 240 Mason Technicians and 160 Carpenter Technicians are scheduled to be trained in four training programs within the span of two years at VTA Training Centres. The institutional training will be three months and on the job training will be another three months. The trainees will be paid an attractive training allowance jointly by the both institutions. VTA and Maga will conduct branded promotions to attract the target audience before commencement of each program in mass media and in the regions where the selected VTA centres are located. Successful participants of the training programs will be tested for National Vocation Qualification (NVQ) Level 3 certification and VTA will arrange to award the NVQ certificates through TVEC (Tertiary and Vocational Education Commission). Maga Engineering will offer employment opportunities to the successful participants of the training programs in their project sites.

http://www.dailymirror.lk/article/Maga-signs-MOU-with-vocational-training-authority-on-skills-training-119932.html

Maga joins with Ministry of Skills Development to train construction craftsmen

Maga Engineering (Pvt) Ltd recently signed an agreement with the Ministry of Skills Development to provide training to 185 skilled construction craftsmen under the Ministry’s Employment Linked Training Programme (ELTP). The training programme is an initiative of the Ministry of Skills Development and Vocational Training and is funded by World Bank and Asian Development Bank.

During the six month programme, 65 Bar Benders, 75 Masonry Craftsmen and 45 Carpentry Craftsmen will be trained. The participants will be screened based on their aptitude and provided with theoretical lectures as well as practical on-the-job training sessions over a period of six months. The training programme will be conducted at Maga’s constructions projects such as Fairway Elements, Fairway Galle, Heritage Hotel Galle, New Maga Head Office Building and Yathama Building under experienced and qualified construction industry experts. Upon successful completion of the training, the participants will obtain a recognized National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) Level 3 certification accredited by the Tertiary and Vocational Education Commission of Sri Lanka.

Commenting on the programme, Chairman & Managing Director of Maga Engineering, M. G. Kularatne said “We are thankful to the Ministry of Ministry of Skills Development and Vocational Training for this great initiative at a time when the industry is facing a shortage of skilled craftsmen. The training programme is scheduled to be held at five of our major construction sites and experienced employees are allocated to mentor the trainees. The

participants will be trained on both theoretical and practical skills in order to equip them with the skills required to gain employment. After the completion of training, the participants will have access to decent employment opportunities whilst gaining greater social acceptance. We also take this opportunity to thank the project financiers the World Bank and Asian Development Bank.”

The training programmed will be launched in mid-November 2016 and will be completed within one year.

http://www.ft.lk/article/578779/Maga-joins-with-Ministry-of-Skills-Development-to-train-construction-craftsmen

Maga Engineering excels at National Green Reporting System Awards

Construction giant Maga Engineering (Pvt) Ltd emerged as the winner of the prestigious Sri Lanka National Green Reporting System Awards for the year 2015. Organized by the Mahaweli Development and Environment Ministry in association with the Central Environmental Authority, the awards ceremony was held at BMICH on 18 of October in conjunction with 5^th Asia-Pacific Climate Change Adaptation Forum. The event was graced by the President Mr. Maithripala Sirisena as the Chief Guest.

More than 100 entries from various manufacturing and service industries were evaluated for these awards by an experienced panel of industry experts. The National Green Reporting System comprises 50 indicators including 24 environment indicators, 20 social indicators and six economic indicators on which companies are required to report. The reporting system provides five tiers under which an organization can report their performance. Maga Engineering reported under the highest grade – Tier 05, which requires all 50 indicators to be reported, verified & externally assured by an independent 3^rd party auditor.

The award is testimony to Maga’s drive to measure its economic, environmental and social performance and enhance its positive impacts through the value chain. It demonstrates the company’s vision to create sustainable infrastructure whilst attempting to limit its ecological footprint.

On the receipt of the award, the Chairman & Managing Director of Maga Engineering Mr M.G. Kularatne said “We are extremely happy to be recognized as the top green reporter in the country by the highest authority. Working in an industry that inherently alters the natural environment and depletes resources, this recognition also brings with it an even greater responsibility to continue our commitment to sustainable development”.

An ISO 14001 & OHSAS 18001 certified company, Maga Engineering is the market leader in the construction sector in Sri Lanka. The company has the distinction of being the only Platinum rated construction company in the nation’s Corporate Accountability Index.

http://www.dailymirror.lk/article/Maga-Engineering-excels-at-National-Green-Reporting-System-Awards-117983.html

Maga Engineering Commences Water Supply Projects to the Value of 8 Billion

Maga Engineering, Sri Lanka’s leading construction company, announced that it has commenced work on two key water supply projects: Towns East of Colombo District Water Supply Project (Package 2) and Galagedera-Mawathagama Water Supply Project.

Spearheaded by the National Water Supply and Drainage Board to fulfil the Government’s objective of providing purified sustainable drinking water, both projects aim to provide pipe borne water supply to an estimated population of 400,000 in the eastern part of the Colombo District and Galagedara, Paragahadeniya and Mawathagama areas of Kurunegala and Kandy Districts.

Constructed at a value of 4.8 billion rupees and funded by the Bank of Ceylon, Towns East of Colombo District Water Supply Project comprises the construction of a 18,000m3 capacity ground reservoir, supply and laying of 1,000 mm diameter DI transmission line of 8 km and HDPE line of 7 km from Iridapola Junction to Meepe. The project will be completed and handed over in August 2018.

Galagedera-Mawathagama Water Supply Project comprises the construction of a 1000m3 capacity elevated tower, 450m3 capacity ground reservoir and supply and laying of 250mm diameter DI & HDPE transmission line of 27 km, along with 113 km long distribution system. Constructed at a value of Rs. 3.2 billion and funded by the DFCC Bank PLC, the project will be completed and handed over in September 2018.

Commenting on the project, Maga Engineering Director Mega Kularatne said, “We are committed to complete these projects on schedule and bring uninterrupted supply of high quality drinking water to the residents of these areas and support Government’s vision to provide access to 100% safe water by 2025 and 60% pipe born water supply by 2020. We are proud to partner the National Water Supply and Drainage Board in this endeavour.”

The foundation laying ceremony of the Galagedera-Mawathagama was recently held in Galagedera under the patronage of Minister of Urban Development, Water Supply and Drainage Rauff Hakeem.

http://www.ft.lk/article/573340/Maga-Engineering-commences-water-supply-projects-to-value-of-8-b