Skills training country’s biggest challenge: Dullas
The biggest challenge before the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Skills Development is to train 130,000 youth required for the country by 2016 and if the Ministry failed to achieve that target the development programme of the government will be affected, Youth Affairs and Skills Development Minister Dullas Alahapperuma said.
“If I could not meet the target of training the number of youth in various disciplines by 2016, I accept that I am a failed politician and resign,” Minister Alahapperuma vowed.
Minister Alahapperuma was addressing a ceremony held at the Vocational Training Centre at the Tissamaharama Vihara to recruit students and distribute vocational training equipment.
“If I could not meet the target of training the number of youth in various disciplines by 2016, I accept that I am a failed politician and resign,” Minister Alahapperuma vowed.
Minister Alahapperuma was addressing a ceremony held at the Vocational Training Centre at the Tissamaharama Vihara to recruit students and distribute vocational training equipment.
It was in 1972 the second phase of organized vocational training started in Sri Lanka after the British started the first phase in 1893 at Maradana. The third phase of the national vocational training programme was started under President Mahinda Rajapaksa when he was the Labour Minister under Chandrika Kumaratunga government when he introduced the Vocational Training Act.
“A national recognition was given to vocational training when this Act was enacted. The vocational training certificate was also accepted as a qualification at job interviews. In addition, National Institute of Business Management (NIBM) has also been set up to give opportunity to higher education in vocational training which marked a turning point in the sector,” Minister Alahapperuma said.
Minister Alahapperuma said some parents are still reluctant to direct their children for vocational training. Their desire is to send their children to a traditional university which does not guarantee an employment after graduation in contrast to the vocational training certificate that ensures a job,” he said. “Students, parents, policy makers and the public must give up the mentality of obtaining a subject centered university degrees as opposed to the skills and trade centered vocational training certificates that ensures a job, Minister Alahapperuma said.
“A national recognition was given to vocational training when this Act was enacted. The vocational training certificate was also accepted as a qualification at job interviews. In addition, National Institute of Business Management (NIBM) has also been set up to give opportunity to higher education in vocational training which marked a turning point in the sector,” Minister Alahapperuma said.
Minister Alahapperuma said some parents are still reluctant to direct their children for vocational training. Their desire is to send their children to a traditional university which does not guarantee an employment after graduation in contrast to the vocational training certificate that ensures a job,” he said. “Students, parents, policy makers and the public must give up the mentality of obtaining a subject centered university degrees as opposed to the skills and trade centered vocational training certificates that ensures a job, Minister Alahapperuma said. 
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