'Vo-Tec', a strategic approach in Vocational Training

Vajira Perera - TVEC

COLOMBO: 'Vo-Tec' exhibition is commencing from September 12th to 16th at the Moneragala Technical College to promote vocational training among the public. This concept is the brainchild of Vocational and Technical Training Minister Piyasena Gamage.

The first exhibition was held at the Beliatta Technical College in June.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa visited this exhibition and appreciated the contribution made towards achieving the goals outlined in the 'Mahinda Chinthanaya'.

The `Vo-Tec' will comprise public and private sector stalls numbering over 75.

The Minister intends to hold the exhibition islandwide.

`Vo-Tec' is a mode of Social Marketing that will popularise the vocational training among the public.

'Vo-Tec' exhibitions elevate awareness on the current reform taking place in the vocational training field.

The money collected at the entrance of the exhibition and from the lottery tickets will be transferred to a fund where it will be utilized for future 'Vo-Tec exhibitions. The stalls of the exhibition are highly focused on vocational training.

A very effective career guidance and student counselling services will be conducted during the exhibition.

Four Vocational training institutions operating under the Vocational and Technical Training Ministry are entrusted to promote vocational training by conducting various study programmes, training courses etc.

It is high time to reform vocational training since the vocational training in Sri Lanka is quite old. The reform-taking place at present in vocational training will facilitate to adjust with the advancement of technology.

A unified system is defined as a result of the reforms in vocational training to issue qualifications through an internationally recognized framework. This is called as National Vocational Qualification - NVQ. NVQ has seven distinct levels starting from one.

The final level seven considered as degree equivalent, which will be offered by the University of Vocational Technology.

This is yet to be established. The infrastructure and constructions needed are in progress at the NITESL premises in Ratmalana. Level five and six qualifications are to be offered at Colleges of Technology by upgrading selected technical colleges available now.

Level one to four qualifications could be offered by any vocational training provider who has accredited with their respective courses to issue NVQ qualification.

The salient feature of this framework is that there is no limitation viz. age or minimum formal qualification, those who possess skills to do a job could obtain NVQ qualification.

The Tertiary and Vocational Education Commission (TVEC) is monitoring non-university educational institutions which are eligible to offer NVQ qualifications.