Vocational Training Centreopens in Kaithadywith the support of the German Government
The Vocational Training Authority of Sri Lanka (VTA) announced the inaugurationof itsvocational training centreinKaithady,Jaffna, on4th March 2016.The Vocational Training in the North and East of Sri Lanka (VTN) Project is a bilateral cooperation between the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka and the Federal Republic of Germany. The project is implemented by the Deutsche GesellschaftfürInternationaleZusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH and the KreditanstaltfürWiederaufbau (German Development Bank – KfW) on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). The Sri Lankan governmental partner is the Ministry of Skills Development and Vocational Training.
The VTA Kaithadycentre is among 14 planned satellite centres that will support the Sri Lankan-German Training Institute (SLGTI), the project’s flagship training institute, currently underconstruction in Killinochchi, is due to be opened in July 2016.Located alongside the A-9 Road in Kaithady in the Jaffna district,the Centrecomes under the Vocational Training Authority (VTA) and has been renovated and equipped by KfW on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). The inauguration ceremony which was held at the KaithadyVocational Training Centre was graced byHon.Mahinda Samarasinghe MP, Minister of Skills Development and Vocational Training,Dr.Michael Dohmen –Charge de Affair – German Embassy in Sri Lanka,Hon. ReginaldCooray – Governor, Northern Province, Major General GaminiHettiarachchi,Chairman – Vocational Training Authority (VTA)and Ms. Kumudhini Rosa, Senior Advisor – GIZ VTN Project.
The GIZ VTN Project is designedto improve demand-oriented vocational education and training in the North and East of Sri Lanka. The curriculum includes training inAutomobile Technology as well as courses for Three Wheeler Mechanics, Industrial Electricians, Welders, Refrigeration and Air ConditioningMechanics and in ICTwith a special focus on English language learning and caters for up to 150 studentsat the centre. In addition to such technical skills, the programmes also include social integration, gender awareness and the development of soft skills which will be integral aspects of the training process on offer.
German government support enabled the Kaithadycentreto becompletely re-constructed and fitted with the latest equipment necessary for the training courses that will be conducted there.Anautomobile workshop was established at the centre in order to help studentsto receive training in the latest technology in this field.
The Kaithadycentre is a state-of-the-art training instituteset up to equip youth in the North and East with the skills they need to compete in the labour market. It seeks to ensure that marginalized groups such as war widows and persons with disabilities will have access to the vocational training on offer. Trainees who completeNVQ Level3 and Level4in the respective technical programmesconducted at the VTA Kaithadytraining centrewill be eligible to join the Sri Lankan – German Training Institute (SLGTI)in Kilinochchiwhich will open its doors on 15thJuly 2016 for vocational education students following courses up to NVQ Level 4, 5 and 6.
Germany has been developing the vocational training sector in Sri Lankafor over 50 years throughbilateral collaboration that supports vocational training coursesthroughout the island.
