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The skills development programs under the by Tharuna Aruna Program has increased the participation of the private sector in reducing unemployment among graduates, Tharuna Aruna Chairman Lal de Mel told the Daily News.

He said about 400 companies offered on-the-job training for nearly 600 graduates last year and the number of companies willing to offer training is ever increasing.

"This is mainly due to our efforts in creating the right environment by changing the attitude of the private sector in providing employment for graduates. Today, private companies have realised that our graduates are very efficient workers and a dedicated lot," Mr. de Mel said.

The Tharuna Aruna Skills Development program commenced in 1997 under the patronage of President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga to provide unemployed graduates training opportunities in the private sector with the major Chambers of Commerce in Sri Lanka. Later the scope of the program was extended to Government owned business undertakings, which do not receive Treasury grants.

Private companies undertake to provide the graduates with 16 months on the job training and the Tharuna Aruna Institute pays the trainees a monthly allowance.

He said the poor English knowledge especially among BA graduates is still the main constraint in finding employment opportunities in the private sector.

"Over 60 percent of the graduates leaving universities every year are BA graduates. The majority of them are not proficient enough in English to meet the requirements of private sector institutions in the fields of banking, telecommunication and tourism industry.

We felt the urgent need of providing the graduates training in English speaking environments and designed special courses for the purpose. We have found that most graduates are not willing to restrict to a classroom situation to learn English after about five years' in the Universities. Therefore it is vital that the BA undergraduates are given a proper English training at University level. As most BA graduates come from the outstations and non-English speaking environments more focus should be given to provide them with enough exposure to the language prior to and during their academic years," Mr. de Mel said.

He said several on-the-job training opportunities have been offered to graduates in the garment sector during the last couple of years.

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