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Plantation as a commercial business started in Sri Lanka (Ceylon) under British government, in the 19th century. Initially coffee was grown and later converted to Tea plantations.

For many decades Tea, Rubber and Coconut had been the major exports in Sri Lanka. Initially there was a labor shortage in the plantation sector and British rulers, brought laborers from India to work in Tea plantations. Since these workers were settled in plantations, they became a new community segment in the society. As this community was deprived of access to decent work outside estates, their living standards were/are very poor in every aspect. Lack of proper education and lack of skills have been major factors preventing them to access decent work. Therefore SIYB association in collaboration with ILO and Planation Human Resource Development Trust (PHDT), implemented project to provided skills to youths in the plantation sector, which will enable them to secure decent work. Five estates from Kegalle district and two estates from Ratnapura districts were included in the program. This program was funded by ILO. Program started with Training Need Assessment (TNA), which consisted of two stages. Interviews held with prospective trainees and Rapid assessment session (Discussion) with PHDT staff and estate staff. Based on the result of the TNA a series of activities implemented.