More disabled youth complete vocational training

Irangika Range

"Around seven percent of the total population of Sri Lanka are disabled and it is the aim of the government to provide them with suitable vocational training and to get them involved in the country's development process, " Social Services Minister Felix Perera said.

The minister was addressing a ceremony to present certificates and tool kits to 100 disabled youths who completed a two year course at vocational training centers attached to the Social Service Department conducted for 2010/ 2011

He said the government plans to integrate disabled people in to society by creating a social environment that provides the necessary economic opportunities to accommodate such people.

"The target group of our field of activity includes male and female youth with disabilities.

"We have arranged various types of vocational training programmes while providing necessary tool kits for youths to lead a successful life," he said.

The minister further said that several important steps were taken by the vocational training unit attached to the Department,while many new projects were initiated last year to provide vocational facilities for the disabled youth.

Minister Perera thanked foreign vocational training institutions and several local and foreign voluntary organizations who have pledged their support to upgrade technical facilities at vocational training centers and for initiating several programmes to provide trainers with the required professional and technical knowledge.

In 2011, 674 disabled youth successfully completed the vocational training courses in their respective chosen fields conducted by the Department. One hundred and twenty five disabled youth have been provided with tool kits for their vocations.