ICTA launches grant schemes

The 11th Private Sector Forum conducted by the Information and Communication Technology Agency of Sri Lanka (ICTA) will be held on March 18.

A comprehensive update on the developments in the ICT Capacity Building Programme (ICBP) will be given at this forum. The ICBP is a programme implemented by ICTA which is a US$5.2 million initiative to provide a short-term boost to private sector ICT firms will be given at this forum.

The ICTA together with the ICT Industry is making strides towards increasing the ICT workforce that will feed this fast growing industry in the form of a 'National ICT Capacity Building Strategy'.

Under the ICTA's ICT Capacity Building programme many initiatives have been taken to increase HR capacity and quality of the existing ICT Industry that would assist Sri Lankan companies to compete effectively in the international ICT environment.

Assistance is given to companies to obtain internationally accredited certifications which will enhance the company quality and recognition. Scholarships are awarded to aspiring ICT professionals to follow recognized foreign and local courses in order to gain more knowledge and experience.

The 'Train the Trainer' programme, incentives for in-house training for ICT companies and the 'Training Voucher' scheme where an incentive is given to individuals who at present are not in the ICT Industry in order to gain a basic ICT education are also carried out under the ICBP.

Seminars and workshops are organised in regular intervals in response to the industry requirement; the latest being the Certified Software Tester Course for the Software Industry.

Encouraging innovation and entrepreneurship in the ICT Industry, part subsides are given for innovative ICT projects including projects related to improving processors related to Sri Lanka's thrust industries such as the tourism industry, apparel industry, gem and jewellery industry.