Skills for Inclusive Growth supports sustainable job creation and business growth in four districts of Sri Lanka: Ampara, Batticaloa, Polonnaruwa and Trincomalee. The program assists local communities to establish new tourism businesses and improve existing offerings through targeted and flexible skills development training. The program encourages skills development across the tourism value chain, from food and beverage suppliers, tours, recreation and cultural heritage activities, national parks, and health and beauty services. Accessing tourism skills development enables individuals and businesses to better meet the needs of a growing tourist market.

Skills for Inclusive Growth specifically facilitates the creation of opportunities for poor people working in the informal sector. The program’s focus on vocational and technical training for women and persons with disabilities helps ensure that these groups are supported to gain or improve their employment. Skills for Inclusive Growth will enable a greater number of poor men and women to benefit from the expanding tourism industry ‘ as workers, producers and entrepreneurs.