‘Hambantota Job Solutions’ launched to help youth

The Hambantota District Chamber of Commerce (HDCC) in collaboration with the World Vision Lunugamvehera Regional Development Programme and  Hambantota District Secretariat organised  the  job fair and the  education exhibition at the Hambantota Singapore Conference hall on 28 April 2011. 

The Country Director of World University Service of Canada, Ingrid Knutson was the chief guest of this event and the special guests of this event were W.A.Dharmasiri, Additional Secretary, Hambantota and Mohan Kumaran, Consul General of Indian Consul General’s office in Hambantota. Knutson said “look at vocational training with a positive mind and jobs in this sector would be very paying in the future. In Canada plumbers, electricians and beauticians earn more than doctors and engineers. In Sri Lanka there is a gap between the education system and requirements of job providers. She also mentioned about the key role of public-private partnership to eliminate youth issues”.  

More than 30 private companies who are seeking to employ staff and Professional organisations who provide career skills & self employment participated at the event such as David Pieris Co.,  Keels Super, Richard Pieris Co., MAS Holding, Brandix & vocational Training Consortium etc. During the event group career counseling programmes was conducted. University of Ruhuna conducted a special seminar on “self employment opportunities”.  Self employment service providers in the district organised a “Self Employment Piyasa” in the Job fair. Keynote speech was delivered by Mohan Palliyaguru, well known consultant & trainer. More than 2000 job seekers participated. We have been able to provide more than 500 employments opportunities and training opportunities for the participants.

Based on the experience gained in providing job matching service for young people as well as employers since 1996, HDCC launched “ Hambantota Job Solutions” with the theme of “ We will connect you to your future” – Wiwara Kara Demu Obata Heta Lowa, with the objective of placing unemployed youth in employment, providing them with self –employment opportunities and providing them with guidance to develop their potential and talents in vocational activities as well as job matching service, staff training and employer forum for job providers.