Srilanka, Oct. 3 -- Sri Lanka has secured a US $ 100 million Asian Development Bank (ADB) loan to overhaul vocational training, seeking to address the skills shortages that leave the businesses struggling to recruit even as young people face high unemployment.

The Skills Development System Transformation Programme will bring the training institutions and employers closer together, modernise courses and facilities and expand women's access to technical jobs as the country seeks to strengthen its economic recovery and competitiveness.

Approved on September 29, the nationwide programme will run from 2027 to 2031 and is expected to directly benefit more than 100,000 young people through better access to employment-oriented training.

"A sk...