Vocational Training Centres will be revamped - minister Devananda

Traditional Industries and Small Enterprise Development Minister Douglas Devananda stated that 131 traditional industrial Vocational Training Centres taken over by the National Crafts Council from 'Laksala' are at the point of closure due to improper administration and many other lapses would never be closed but developed to the highest degree and put back on track by providing adequate facilities.

The minister said so at a conference held at 'Sausiripaya', Wijayarama Mawatha on December 6 attended by professional trainers of the Vocational Training Centres and provincial officers of the National Craft Council.

The conference was held as a fact-finding mission for the minister to arrive at a decision whether these Centres could be developed after reviewing the present situation of the Centres by obtaining an opinion from the trainers and officials of the National Crafts Council. The trainer teachers of the Vocational Training Centres placed many reasons before the minister as to why the students kept away from taking up training at the centres. The main among them was the meagre monthly allowance of Rs 500 paid to the trainees which wasn't even adequate to meet with their travelling cost.

The following were also discussed at length to be remedied:

a) The necessity of renovating the buildings where the training centres are presently housed. b) Replacement of machinery and equipment at these centres as they have well passed their serviceable age. c) Inadequacy of maintenance funds. d) Publicity for enrolling of new students. e) The trainees to be provided with loan facilities and financial assistance for commencement of self-employment ventures. f) Providing with raw materials. g) Permits for transporting bamboo and cane. h) Raising awareness among the 'Samurdhi' recipients so as to make room for their children to undergo training. i) Intervention of the government in marketing of their products.

The minister said there was a very good market in our country for traditional handicrafts at a time tourism has regained its former glory with the ending of war. Therefore, the need of the hour was not closure of these training centres but improving them so that more youths could get gainful employment.

The minister also stressed the necessity of both production and training at these training centres to be effected at equal levels. He promised to provide with all the requirements needed for smooth performance of the training centres.

Ministry Secretary Sivagnanasothy and National Craft Council Chairman Buddhi Keerthisena also spoke. Advisor to the Minister V Jegarasasingam and several officials from the National Craft Council too participated at the conference.