Holcim Lanka, GIZ, NAITA and BTI join hands to provide employable skills to Rehabilitees

The foundation stone laying ceremony for a new building, to be constructed as a part of their training, by Rehabilitees who are undergoing vocational training in Masonry, Carpentry, Plumbing, Electrical wiring and Outboard motor / motor cycle repairs at the Protective Accommodation and Rehabilitation Centre of the East (PARC) in Kandakadu, was held recently.

Ambassador Jens Ploetner, Col. Modestus Fernando, Deputy Commissioner General of Rehabilitation and Palitha Jayasinghe, Head of HR of Holcim Lanka Ltd after laying the foundation stone.

Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany, Jens Ploetner, laid the foundation stone on the invitation of Major General Chandana Rajaguru, Commissioner General of Rehabilitation (CGR).

The programme to provide employable skills to 185 rehabilitees at the Protective Accommodation and Rehabilitation Centre of the East is a joint initiative of the Bureau of Commissioner General of Rehabilitation, National Apprentice and Industrial Training Authority (NAITA), BTI, the Peace Building through Vocational Training of Youth in the East Project (PB-VT) funded by the German Government and implemented by German Development Corporation (GIZ) and Holcim (Lanka) Ltd.

The objective of the program is to provide rehabilitees with employable skills and a recognized Vocational Qualification (NVQ Level 3) so that once released they could find employment and reintegrate into society as useful citizens contributing to the development of the country.

Speaking to the media, Ploetner stated that it is important to provide a good future for the young women and men of the country. A good future means a good job that they can earn a living. To get a good job, a good training is required.

GIZ with other partners has initiated training programmes in the construction sector such as Masonry, Carpentry, Electrical Wiring, Plumbing and Aluminium fabrication, particularly for those affected by the armed conflict to provide trainees a good education and training, thereby enabling them to find a good job and contribute towards the peaceful future for the country.

He said that he was impressed by the great contribution of the officers, the trainers and the commitment of the young men in learning vocations they have chosen. However, it is normal that they as human beings would like to return to their families as soon as possible.