Innovative Model (Crown-Cone-Star) for Empowerment of Workforce

Research at a glance

Education in Sri Lanka faces persistent challenges of student attrition across multiple stages, from primary school to university entry. Approximately 11% of students drop out before the GCE Ordinary Level (O/L) examination, and nearly 87% discontinue formal education at different stages, resulting in an average of over 300,000 school leavers annually. These figures highlight the urgent need to recognize and strengthen alternative education pathways. While higher education (HE) emphasizes the cognitive domain of knowledge and intellectual skills, vocational education and training (VET) develops psychomotor competencies essential for the world of work. This paper introduces the Crown– Cone–Star Model as a conceptual framework to illustrate how merging outcomes from HE and VET can produce empowered individuals and resilient workforces. The model positions the Sri Lanka Qualifications Framework (SLQF) as a “crown” of academic achievement and the National Vocational Qualifications (NVQ) framework as a “cone” that individuals can continuously fill with skills and experience. When integrated effectively, these complementary systems generate a “star,” symbolizing innovation, adaptability, and productivity in the workplace. The study concludes that valuing HE and VET equally, and creating stronger pathways between them, is not only essential for reducing dropout rates but also for fostering holistic human capital development in Sri Lanka.