Friday Nov 15, 2024
Friday Nov 15, 2024
Tuesday, 2 May 2023 01:06 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Ports, Shipping and Aviation Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva recently awarded certificates to the first 10 women gantry crane operators of the Sri Lanka Ports Authority.
The course was conducted at the Sri Lanka Ports Authority’s (SLPA) Mahapola Ports and Maritime Academy by National Union of Shipping Society, and under financial aid of International Labour Organisation (ILO).
The four-month training program included both theoretical and practical sessions. Currently, eight women yard crane operators who completed training at the Mahapola Ports and Maritime Academy efficiently engage in port operations at SLPA terminals.
It was also revealed at the occasion, that more women gantry operators were expected to engage in port operations following similar successful training courses.
Sources from the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Aviation state that more private and foreign sector employment opportunities await for new women gantry operators who complete successful training courses.
Minister said that a better environment is being made towards a successful forward march in the sector in future. “It is a good trend that we are receiving assistance from the private sector to develop our ports. Although women in Sri Lanka generally work in more conventional areas such as nursing, teaching, and clerical work, we are glad that we could introduce them to more new opportunities that go with the latest technology,” he said. He also said that these opportunities are expected to attract more women in future.
Speaking via zoom technology, ILO Sri Lanka Country Office Director Simrin Singh said that her warmest wishes were with the 10 women gantry operators who were awarded with certificates after successful completion of training as gantry operators. She also said that as the resident representative of ILO she was glad that ILO was able to contribute financially to this training course.
Several officials of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Aviation, SLPA and National Union of Shipping Society also attended the event.
