Amunugama directs officials to double trainee intake to technical, vocational training courses

• Calls for upgrade in syllabuses to international level, next intake expected in July

Science, Technology, Research, Skills Development and Hill Country Heritage Minister Dr. Sarath Amunugama, instructed doubling the intake to the technical and vocational training institutions operating under the various departments and institutions under his Ministry and to upgrade their syllabuses to international level this week. 

This was his first meeting with the officials of his new Ministry since the Cabinet reshuffle on 1 May. 

The Minister pointed out that the main reason for the existence of unemployment in the country was the lack of technical and vocational competence among the youth. He stressed that in addition to the possession of O/Level or A/Level qualifications, a person must possess vocational qualifications to get employment in the modern competitive industrial world. 

The Minister noted that if someone possessed internationally-accepted technical or vocational qualifications, they could get employment easily, not only locally but abroad as well. However, most youth presently do not have such fitting qualifications for a job anywhere. 

Therefore, it is imperative that the intake to technical and vocational training institutions under the Ministry be immediately doubled and at the same time, the courses of training be upgraded to international standards, the Minister said, adding that the youth would then be enabled to get well-paid employment locally and overseas.

The Minister directed that all this must happen mandatorily with the next intake of trainees scheduled for July this year.