Germany supports first VoTec exhibition at Beliatta Technical College

COLOMBO: The first VoTec (Vocational and Technical Training) exhibition, organised by the Ministry of Vocational and Technical Training, with the support of the German Technical Cooperation (GTZ), on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), has been deemed a huge success.

The event took place from June 12 to 16 at the Beliatta Technical College with the aim to create awareness amongst young people and parents on the importance of vocational education and training.

Hundreds of children, teenagers, parents, teachers and industry representatives flocked to the college to make the most of the variety of stalls, seminars, exhibitions and workshops that were on offer, as well as the evening dance and music performances. Among them was President Mahinda Rajapaksa, who visited his home town college on the afternoon of June 14.

The exhibition was an opportunity to raise awareness on the Rehabilitation and Modernization of Technical and Vocational Training Institutes project (REVO), supported by GTZ as part of Germany's Post Tsunami Rehabilitation programme.

"Events such as VoTec are of paramount importance as they draw attention to the need to bridge the gap between the industry's demand for skilled and trained individuals and the current lack of facilities and trainers.

Steps have recently been taken by REVO to conduct courses at technical colleges, allowing young people to become diploma holders or graduates in vocational and technical training in the Hambantota Disrtrict," stated Uta Borges, GTZ Programme Director.