World University Service of Canada Country Director visits Hambantota District Chamber of Commerce

Thursday, 26 July 2012 01:26 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Honoring a relationship that goes back more than 15 years, World University Service of Canada (WUSC) Country Director Richard Bonokoski visited Hambantota District Chamber of Commerce (HDCC) on 9 July.

Bonokoski came to discuss planned developments for the Career Service Centre (CSC), HDCC’s youth employment and skills training service.

HDCC is the foremost representative of the private sector in the Hambantota District. Its mission is to act as the ‘gateway’ for development, ensuring social cohesion and economic success in the area.

In 1996, HDCC started CSC as a pilot project, in partnership with WUSC. The key functions of the centre are to monitor employment opportunities, register and advise jobseekers, audit available training courses, encourage young people to undertake vocational training where appropriate and, crucially, to provide a job placement service. As young people are helped into work, CSC plays its part in fostering social cohesion in the district.

During his visit, Bonokoski exchanged views and gathered information about HDCC, its activities and the development projects implemented in the district. HDCC CEO Krishanthi Weerasinghe briefed him about Hambantota, and the activities of HDCC and CSC, as well as discussing the input they have received from WUSC. Also joining the discussion were CSC Manager Sudhammika Wickramanayake who was involved the project’s inception, Deputy Field Director Lakshman Malawathanthirige and WUSC Senior Project Officer M.W. Obris.

Bonokoski highlighted the need for WUSC and HDCC to explore new prospects for young people, especially in the hotel industry, and at the port and airport. He stressed the importance of the chamber’s involvement with these organisations and the need to grasp available or potential opportunities. This could include working towards helping young people gain particular skills for specialist roles.

HDCC and WUSC have developed a close working relationship over the years and following this very positive meeting, HDCC is keen to continue and develop the relationship in the future.

As well as CSC, HDCC manages Hambantota Youth Business Program (HYBP), which provide services and benefits to young people in the community. It sees these projects as a social responsibility, but also as a contribution to the economic development of the district.

Bonokoski, who has a Masters in vocational and technical education, began his role with WUSPC on 1 June. Prior to this he was working on a CIDA funded project in Jordan on behalf of the Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Science and Technology, which has a strong focus on capacity building and sustainability.