Inaugural ‘Lighting Digital Youth BootCamp’ concludes on a high note

• 80 + youth participants from across the island participated at a four residential workshop in Heiyanthuduwa, Gampaha

The Information and Communication Technology Agency (ICTA) of Sri Lanka announced the success of concluding the inaugural session of the ‘Lighting Digital Youth BootCamp’ in Heiyanthududuwa, Gampaha from 25 to 28 February. The four-day residential workshop was well attended by 80 + participants that were carefully screened to participate in the program.

The ‘Lighting Digital Youth Bootcamp’ initiative is a unique program devised by the ICTA in collaboration with the National Youth Services Council to fast-track youth employment into the ICT industry. Youth who successfully undertake the ‘bootcamps’ will have the opportunity to acquire the necessary skills via a structured but quick set of targeted programs delivered by eminent professionals in the ICT industry. As a result, the Lighting Digital Youth  Bootcamp initiative will directly enable 34,000 Sri Lankan youth to be employable in the ICT industry across all Divisional Secretariats via 170 boot camps.

Out of the 80+ participants, 70%  were currently unemployed youth and seeking propective  career opportunities. The Youth Bootcamps offered a unique opportunity in providing Scholarships, Internship Opportunities, Job Opportunities, Professional Memberships, Startups and freelancing opportunities.  Phase one of this initiative will conduct 10 boot camps in 10 districts targeting 2,000 participants covering Gampaha, Hambantota, Kegalle, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya,  Anuradhapura, Badulla, Kurunegala, Ampara and Vavuniya. Youth  Bootcamps will be implemented across the island in a phased-out manner, providing a unique opportunity for youths  to join this program until 2023. 

ICTA Director Capacity Building Sameera Jayawardena stated, “ We are overwhelmed by the response we have received for the youth bootcamp. I am extremely proud to say that we have an immense potential of local talent. We as ICTA, and  organisations that represent the industry play a key role in guiding our  future generation, and the youth boot camp is a unique platform that enables it. We thank our industry partners  CSSL, BCS, FITIS, and SLASSCOM for partnering with this initiative. A national rollout is planned throughout the coming month enabling youth to enter a  rewarding career in ICT. We believe this will be a key contributor in achieving the national goal of creating 300,000 ICT employees by 2025.”

The highlight of the event was the five full scholarships awarded by BCS to the best performing students and three opportunities for internships offered by the Digital Marketing Association of Sri Lanka. In order to interactively engage them the ICT Agency of Sri Lanka intends to hold regional boot camps in association with various stakeholders and interest groups to assist with proper guidance and obtaining the necessary qualifications to play an active part in generating an export revenue of $ 3 billion.

CTA Chairman Oshada Senanyake and ICTA Director Sameera Jaywardena spearheaded this initiative while NYSC Director Rashitha Delapola and NYSC Director Manula Perera ensured the successful delivery of the project from the National Youth Services Council.

Those interested can register for the Bootcamps by visiting https://youth.lightingdigital.gov.lk.       After which, they will undergo a screening test, and a  preparatory webinar prior to attending the bootcamp. After the successful completion of the boot camps, a post session follow will be conducted to monitor the participants’ progress.  For more information visit https://youth.lightingdigital.gov.lk.