Future Careers Pavilion attracts large number of students at EDEX Expo 2012

The EDEX expo provided a platform for the second consecutive year for SLASSCOM Future Careers program to connect with Sri Lankan youth to the exiting job opportunities in the IT/ BPO industry and the knowledge services. The Future Careers Pavilion was inaugurated by Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunga.

The Future Careers pavilion at EDEX attracted many students eager to learn more about the industry and gain an insight as to the jobs available in the IT/ BPO industry. This was made possible as career guidance officers from the Future Careers partner organisations were present within the stall to educate youth as to the entry requirements and skill set needed for the industry.

Walk-in interviews were conducted by some of the companies. Future Careers partner organisations include few of the large IT companies such as Virtusa, IFS, Pearson, MillenniumIT (part of London Stock Exchange), Zone24/7 and two of the large BPO’s operating in Sri Lanka namely HSBC and First Source- Dialog.

All SLASSCOM endeavours are geared towards driving Sri Lanka to reach the  national goal of becoming the number one industry to lead Sri Lanka to the knowledge economy while achieving the target of US$1 billion in revenue and employment to over 100,000 by 2015.

One of the key prerequisite for this growth to be realised is the acceleration of human resource capacity development in the industry. The Future Careers program has two fold objectives.

The SLASSCOM Future Careers initiative is aimed at expanding the talent pool available to the industry as part of this Capacity building program. The initiative will also focus on connecting Sri Lankan youth to the exciting job opportunities in the knowledge services industry for them to become truly global citizens.

Future Careers targets students aged 15-18 years and young undergraduate students. We also target IT/ BPO industry professionals to come together by sharing their knowledge and experience with the future careers audience including teaching faculty members. Students can also join online at www.FutureCareers.lk to learn about the industry. SLASSCOM also invites the industry professionals to join at www.FutureCareers.lk to encourage and offer their support and guidance to new entrants to the industry. Future Careers Facebook page provides a real time platform to connect everyone who’s interested in IT and BPO industry jobs to people who are already in the industry. SLASSCOM is on a mission to build the largest real Facebook wall.

“At EDEX, SLASSCOM educated both students and parents on the wide array of options available in both the IT and BPO sectors, and highlighted the skills required that will empower them to enter this industry and increase their earning potential. The IT/ BPO industry offers exciting work, fun atmosphere, global exposure, fast paced career progression and even an opportunity for one to become an entrepreneur” SLASSCOM Executive Director Nihara Nanayakkara said.