Explore Skilled Labour Shortage of Carpenters in Sri Lanka: Through the Lens of Participants Employed in Furniture Manufacturing Industry

Abstract

Skilled labour shortage that is prevailing in the current context has made lot of adverse economic and social repercussions, more or less to all sectors in Sri Lanka. The purpose of this study is to explore the skilled labour shortage of carpenters in Sri Lankan furniture manufacturing industry through the lens of participants that are involved. This includes exploring the support mechanisms in place for carpenters in Sri Lanka. This study used qualitative research approach. Purposive sampling technique and semi-structured interviews were utilized to collect data from 12 (male) participants including timber firm owners, the current working employees in timber firms and the retired/ resigned employees. The theory of proximal similarity was adopted to connect the study’s characteristics and the characteristics of the group under study. Findings from the interviews grouped into key themes namely unsustainable income, lack of social prestige and infertile apprenticeship program. The sub-themes included earning capacity, high risk job, and visible career path and so on. These themes considered in relation to the existing and future implications for the industry. The findings of the study provide valuable insight which is necessary furniture manufacturing industry to develop and train future carpenters capable of sustaining the Sri Lankan furniture manufacturing industry. Furniture manufacturing industry has a potential to generate attractive export earnings however received less attention on its skilled labour shortage issues.