‘Focus on job-oriented education, youth told’

Ramani Kangaraarachchi

COLOMBO: “The youth should concentrate on job-oriented education. There is massive demand for skilled-workers in Korea and Australia,” said Premier Ratnasiri Wickremanayake.

The Prime Minister was speaking at the awards ceremony of Institute of Engineering Technology (IET), Katunayake at the BMICH on Tuesday. Sri Lankans are going abroad as labourers for meagre salaries when there are plenty of vacancies in the construction field with an attractive packages.

He hoped the new campus at Ratmalana will help more young people qualify for skilled jobs.

Vocational Training Minister Piyasena Gamage said, all ICT diplomates have got employment in Sri Lanka or abroad. He said there is a great demand for ICT courses but only 350 could be accommodated at a time.

The authorities will expand the institute to accommodate more students in the future.

He requested the young people to concentrate on skilled jobs and develop the country’s economy.

National Apprentice Training Authority Chairman Amal Senadilankara said the President has given him the task of solving the unemployment of 100,000 youth in the country.

Peradeniya University Vice Chancellor Prof. H. Abeygunawardena delivered the keynote address.