Engaged Beyond Business
Monaragala
A vocational training center
This initiative offers young people from poor backgrounds a professional perspective and enables them to build a self-determined life in Sri Lanka. The Vocational Training Center not only enjoys an excellent reputation but is also considered a showcase project by the Ministry of Education.
The project
The training program consists of a total of six courses, ranging from computer courses to welder training. Graduates of the vocational school are sought after throughout the country and in many cases start their own businesses. In this way, they not only create new jobs but also pass on their knowledge to the next generation.
The Vocational Training Center was founded in 2005 by the NGO “SOS Children’s Villages Sri Lanka” with the support of Hilti. To date, this EBB initiative has been financed exclusively by Hilti employees, with donations now being used mainly for the construction of the training workshops, maintenance and work clothes, as well as various other purchases.
History and origins
At the end of 2004, the seaquake in the Indian Ocean and the subsequent tsunami destroyed entire swathes of land. The disaster triggered a wave of donations from people all around the world, which meant that large sums of financial aid were suddenly available. The problem: there was a lack of meaningful projects. Hilti therefore decided to support an initiative of the NGO “SOS Children’s Village” in the Sri Lankan jungle. The children’s village in Monaragala was opened in 2000 and initially offered underprivileged children as well as orphans a new home. However, the seaquake then confronted the region with new challenges. With Hilti’s support, the children’s village was therefore expanded to include a vocational training center, where young people from poor backgrounds are given career prospects. The educational programs offered are now known throughout the country and set national standards for skilled workers.
Support opportunities
There are various ways to support this initiative. For example, interested Hilti team members can simply transfer monetary donations. However, they can also run their own fundraising campaigns at their workplaces and then donate the campaign proceeds. What such a fundraising campaign looks like in detail is left solely to the creativity of the organizers: Ideas range from fundraising runs or sales campaigns to paid training courses. The proceeds of the donation then only must be transferred to the headquarters in Schaan and will then benefit directly the Vocational Training Center in Monaragala.
Facts & Figures
In 2025 alone, more than 22'000 CHF was collected by Hilti employees. Since the founding of the VTC, Hilti employees have collectively donated more than CHF 1.5 million.
A total of 2'342 disadvantaged young people have benefitted from these donations since 2008.
About the courses
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This is a one year vocational training course which covers many aspects of automobile mechanics such as repair of engine cooling system, repair of petrol fuel system, wheel alignment, repair of breaking system and many more important subjects for automobile mechanics. Classroom sessions continue throughout the twelve month period, where all theoretical and practical aspects of the subject are covered. Upon successful completion of the one year course, the students will be allocated to an organisation or a workshop for on-the-job training where they will put to practice what they have learnt.
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This is a six-month vocational training course which cover many aspects of computing such as E-Mail, Internet, Database Management, Microsoft Office Packages and many more subjects needed to be an effective IT Assistant.
Theoretical and practical training is completed within this six-month period.
Upon successful completion, the students will be allocated to an organization for on-the-job training where they will put to practice what they have learnt. -
This is a seven-month vocational training course which covers many aspects of welding such as metal arc welding in all positions, cutting and welding steel plates using Oxy Acetylene, soldering, and many more subjects needed to be an effective welder. Theoretical and practical training is completed within this seven-month period. Upon successful completion of the seven-month course, the students will be allocated to an organization or a workshop for on-the-job training where they will put to practice what they have learnt.
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This is a one year vocational training course which covers many aspects of wood craftsmanship such as furniture making using solid wood, wood-based boards and many more subjects needed to be an effective wood craftsman.
Classroom sessions continue throughout the twelve month period, where all theoretical and practical aspects of the subject are covered. Upon successful completion of the one year course, the students will be allocated to an organ-isation or a workshop for on-the job training where they will put to practice what they have learnt. -
This is a one-year vocational training course which covers many aspects of electrical wiring such as electrical installation, single phase domestic wiring, electrical repair and many more subjects needed to be an effective electrician.
Classroom sessions continue throughout the twelve-month period, where all theoretical and practical aspects of the subject are covered. Upon successful completion of the one-year course, the students will be allocated to an organization or a workshop for on-the-job training where they will put to practice what they have learnt. -
This is a six month vocational training course which covers many aspects of baking such as making different varieties of pastries, baking varieties of buns and breads and many more baking techniques needed to be an effective baker and pastry maker. Theoretical and practical training is completed within this six-month period. Upon successful completion of the six-month course, the students will be allocated to a bakery or a hotel for on-the-job training where they will put to practice what they have learnt.
How to transfer donations?
Individual or collective amounts can be transferred to the cost center at the cashier’s office in Schaan as follows…:
Cost Center
BKR
Reference
518306 - EBB Fundraising
1051 HAG
EBB - 1022978 - P # 01.01 Monaragala
Or by bank transfer to the following bank account. The donated amount will be converted to CHF:
Bank
SWIFT / BIC
Bank Code
Beneficiary
IBAN
Reference
UBS Switzerland AG, CH-8001 Zürich
UBSWCHZH80A
0230
Hilti AG, Feldkircherstrasse 100, FL-9494 Schaan
CH18 0023 0230 3919 9101 P
EBB - 1022978 - P # 01.01 Monaragala
Current challenges and bright spots
But of course, there are also challenges that the VTC faces. For example, all courses offered are based on apprenticeships, which is particularly common in German-speaking countries. Consequently, this system of training takes place in two places of learning: The school on the one hand and a company on the other.
This is exactly where the center faces challenges since the concept of vocational training is still comparatively new in Sri Lanka. Therefore, the VTC still has a lot of convincing to do to win over companies for internships as not all companies are willing to train young people. But there is reason for hope: to ensure a sufficient supply of qualified craftsmen, the government is collaborating with the Vocational Training Center in Monaragala.
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