Gnanam Education Trust empowering employment and self-reliance

By Hiran H.Senewiratne

In early 2011, Gnanam Education Trust (GET) was established as a non-profit organisation in memory of A.Y.S.Gnanam to provide education to the underprivileged. As its first initiative the Trust established a training Centre in Vavuniya for teaching English, Sinhala and IT Skills for people who face difficulties in spending on education. Many young students in the area have benefited from this exercise.

” Due to high demand among youth as its second initiative GET was established as Professional Skills Development Centre (PSDC) in Jaffna with state of the art classrooms to provide the same services in Jaffna, the Centre Manager Hylin Rajeevan Ratnam told the Island Financial Review  .

She said that the  GET is  now registered under  TVEC to provide NVQ Level courses to the students.  Apart from that, the next intake of students for the Certificate in English Language would commence in February2022 and this would be followed by a Certificate Course in Sinhala.

“Our aim is to improve the students’ motivation and to help them to find suitable employment for them. Therefore, students of both genders are studying and we have also started a special programme for female self employed students to manage their day to day basic business accounts, ” she said.

In a bid to enhance students’ speaking skills a Toastmaster Speech Craft Training program too would be held. “One of our most sought after courses are the Certificate in Computer Applications (NVQ3level) and Hardware courses for students looking at future ICT sector employment. PSDC Center after studying the future emerging HR trends also conducts Area Tourist Guides programme with the assistance of Sri Lanka Northern Tourist Board.

“In a bid to get youth involved in the agriculture sector and add modern techniques to it, we will soon launch an Agri -Training programme as well.”

“One of the other key areas the trust focuses on is the Teacher Training programme on Activity based Zonal English (ABOE) which is being conducted with the assistance of Jaffna Zonal Education Department.”

“We also pay an incentive for those studying with us. Our Vision is to provide innovative, effective and integrated training for people in skills they need to enjoy the dignity that comes with employment, independence and self-reliance,” Ratnam said.

Administrative Assistant PDSC in Jaffna Vithusha Nilojan Deluxshan said that they have already produced around 100 qualified students and around 60 are currently following courses. There are around 15 volunteer teachers and we also get foreign volunteers from time to time.This institute was mainly initiated by Managing Director, Rhino Roofing Products Ltd Jey Gnanam. Furthermore, PSDC in Jaffna provides other educational services and opportunities as needed by the local society to arm them with the skills needed for securing gainful employment. This includes career guidance from the many stakeholders that have become associated with those that are in the companies started by its late founder.