Industrial and computer literacy training for school leavers

Nimal WIJESINGHE, Anuradhaprua Additional district group correspondent

ANURADHAPRUA: The Industrial Development Authority (IDA) of the North Central Provincial Council has commenced several programmes to train school leavers in a number of industrial sectors including computer literacy.

Under this programme at Eriyagama, Talawa a high tech computer training school has been opened for school leavers to obtain a scientific carpentry training.

Another 30 persons could be trained at the institution.

The Secretary, Provincial Ministry of Industries, Rural Development, Youth Affairs and Sports M.K.B. Dissanayake said the youths being trained at Eriyagama High Tech Carpentry Training School would get an opportunity to have further higher training at the Higher Education Institute, Moratuwa and obtain employment.

Apart from enhancing the training opportunities at the Eriyagama Carpentry School, the functions of the Mechanised Carpentry Centres at Nochchiyagama, Kikirawa, Ipologama, Galenbindunuwewa, Nachchaduwa, Medirigiriya, Elahera and Dimbulagala will be expanded to train more youth and to undertake contracts for manufacture of furniture.

The Industrial Development Authority was able to save the Government Rs. one million by repairing the school wooden desks and chairs on a voluntary basis through its carpentry centres.

Meanwhile 25 youths are being trained in computer literacy at the Ministry’s Computer Training centre at the new Provincial Secretariat, Anuradhaprua.

The Industrial Development Authority conducts a diploma and also a certification course in computer literacy providing thorough knowledge on Information Technology. The Secretary said the courses are free. It is planned to commission a Computer Training Centre in Polonnaruwa for the benefit of school levers.