CINEC diversifies into non-maritime training courses

THE Colombo International Nautical and Engineering College (CINEC), might not be the first place that comes to one's mind when thinking of land-based vocations, but it is fast becoming one of the leading providers of vocational education in the country.

The largest Maritime Education & Training Facility approved by the BOI and Tertiary and Vocational Educational Commission (TVEC), CINEC has tailored a host of job-oriented courses for youth.

CINEC's Department of Industrial Engineering offers education & training programmes for beginners, semi skilled, and the skilled, for the local and foreign heavy industry, factories and shipyards.

Its Department of Information Technology offers education & training programmes for beginners to International Computer Driving License. CINEC also offers programmes for prospective electricians.

CINEC's Director Engineering Gamini Lokuketagoda says CINEC courses are recognised worldwide as stepping stones to successful careers.

The organisation has been recognised internationally as a quality technical and vocational education centre. The majority of those seeking foreign employment in the industrial sector are trained and trade tested for skilled competencies at CINEC.

Lokuketagoda notes with satisfaction that an increasing number of employers look for a competency certificate from CINEC from prospective employees.

For those coming from the outstations, the College has new comfortable residential facilities. The hostel situated within the premises, could accommodate 52 students.

CINEC has given priority to the quality of training programmes and is striving to improve them in line with trends in the employment market and customer demands.

This is reflected in CINEC's mission statement, which says that "our students are offered quality education with direct relevance to employment".

In addition to purely vocational courses, CINEC's Language Centre provides courses in business communication skills and language training.

All these courses and facilities are personally looked into by Capt. Asitha S.Wijesekera, the CINEC Chief who is planning to steer CINEC towards one of the best maritime and non-maritime vocational institutions in the entire Asian region.