John Keells’ soft skills workshop in Jaffna

“This programme was like a gift to me. It has given me a lot of motivation to learn and to work in the future’’ said A. Jeenkartiga, a fourth year student from the Faculty of Arts, after participating in the soft skills workshops conducted by John Keells Foundation on March 13 to 15, 2013 at the University of Jaffna in collaboration with the Career Guidance Unit (CGU) of the University.

Conducted for the eighth successive time in a Sri Lankan University, the main objective of this programme - branded “The Final Step” - is to enhance the employability of local graduates by providing them a realistic perspective of employment opportunities in Sri Lanka and preparing them for the demands of the private sector, as the country’s primary employer. It covers a wide range of topics including 'Employer Expectations’, 'Team Building and Leadership Skills’, 'Adapting to the Corporate Environment’, 'Personality Development and Confidence Building’, 'Personal Grooming’ and 'Corporate Hospitality’.

“University undergraduates represent the wealth of knowledge, talent and potential that will take Sri Lanka forward to reach new heights”, said NadijaTambiah, Head of CSR, John Keells Holdings PLC, addressing the participants on the opening day. “The Final Step has been designed to help groom you for the workplace by improving your adaptability to the work environment, enhancing your leadership and communication skills, personality and self-confidence, that would not only help you find and succeed at a job of your choice but will serve you throughout life.”

Speaking on the occasion, Senior Professor Vasanthy Arasaratnam, Vice Chancellor, University of Jaffna, noted the importance of such workshops in broadening the mindsets of the students from stereo typed jobs such as teaching and lecturing into avenues in the private sector where a multitude of opportunities lie. She also expressed a need for such CSR initiatives to keep up the vitality of graduates,honing skills necessary to “market” themselves better as they step into employment.

Dr. K. Suthakar, Director, Career Guidance Unit, outlined that reasons such as the perceived ‘job security’ factor in the public sector have limited the students past and present in pursuing private sector based careers. “We are delighted by the overwhelmingly positive response to The Final Step by the students and administration of the University of Jaffna, which is similar to the response it has received at all the other universities including Kelaniya, Moratuwa, Sri Jayewardenepura and Peradeniya”, said Carmeline Jayasuriya, Head of Operations, John Keells Foundation.