Under Phase 3 of the Women Organized for Inclusion through Community Engagement (WOICE) project, an intervention was implemented in the Monaragala District to address youth unemployment called Let’s Put an End to Unemployment and Take Up Vocational Training.
The goal was to promote vocational training as a career path among school leavers, particularly those who were unemployed or underemployed. The event was organized by the WOICE Super Group and Youth Group leaders in collaboration with the Uwa Wellassa Women’s Organization, which identified eligible youth in the district and organized a training session to raise awareness of available vocational courses and the process for enrollment.
Participants were directed to vocational training centres in Monaragala and Wellawaya. After the session several youth enrolled in courses such as motor mechanic, masonry, salon, electrician, information technology, bakery and cookery. There was an increase in vocational training participation and some youth were helped to set career goals. Parents responded positively to their children joining skill development programmes.
Challenges included low motivation, limited awareness of vocational qualifications, social perceptions of vocational jobs and mismatches between student interest and parental expectations. Some students struggled to maintain consistent attendance. In response, the project team conducted additional awareness sessions, supported goal setting and engaged with parents. Immediate enrollment support was provided after the initial session to maintain momentum. Feedback from participants indicated that many youth gained clarity on future plans and understood the value of vocational training. Parents said that they observed positive changes in their children.
This intervention served as a platform to elevate the leadership of local women involved in the WOICE network. By taking ownership of the planning and execution process, women leaders were able to demonstrate their capacity in community mobilisation and strategic problem solving. Their leadership was not only central to the success of the event but also reinforced their role as active contributors to social change in their communities.
Beyond youth employment, the activity addressed broader concerns of community reconciliation and inclusion. By engaging families and community members in discussions about vocational education, the initiative opened up dialogue on the value of diverse career pathways and broke down some of the social stigmas associated with non-traditional jobs. These discussions encouraged cooperative thinking and community level understanding, aligning with NPC’s goal of strengthening social cohesion.
The cross district learning component embedded in WOICE Phase 3 allowed Monaragala’s women leaders to share their experiences and strategies with peers in other districts. The exchange promoted a culture of shared learning, mutual support and adaptive leadership, all essential to building a more inclusive and harmonious society.
Through this activity, NPC reinforced its commitment to nurturing local women as leaders in reconciliation and inclusive development. The initiative demonstrated how empowering women at the grassroots can lead to sustainable solutions for long standing social challenges.