Vocational training for 40 percent of schoolchildren

Ishara MUDUGAMUWA

Minister Dullas Alahapperuma

The government will provide vocational training to 40 percent of the school going population, Youth Affairs and Skills Development Minister Dullas Alahapperuma said.

Participating at a ceremony to present appointment letters to Vocational Training Authority (VTA) staff at the VTA recently, Minister Alahapperuma said a country cannot forge ahead without developing the country's vocational training sector.

“Since President Mahinda Rajapaksa realised this, a Vocational Training University was established to encourage more youths to enter the field. The government allocated funds to establish another 20 vocational training universities, ” the minister said.

Alahapperuma said most youths earlier refused to enter the field of vocational training as there was no proper recognition for it.

“With the establishment of the university and the introduction of NVQ, a large number of youths entered the field. Those among them who enter this field has the opportunity to obtain a degree.

The government plans to provide vocational training for more than 40 percent of schoolchildren with private sector support,” he said. The minister said the Youth Affairs and Skills Development Ministry's aim is to eliminate problems.

“The Youth Affairs and Skills Development Ministry has been converted to an institution responsible for the future without pointing the finger at the past,” he said.

Appointment letters were handed over to 127 instructors and promotion letters were also given to 294 instructors.