KOICA tackles unemployment here

…USD 6 mn provided in support of the project

South Korea has funded the preparation of a master plan for Tertiary and Vocational Education and Training (TVET).

It has been developed by Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), Project Management Consultant experts from UBION, and professionals in the TVET sector. On behalf of the Sri Lankan government, the Director General of the Tertiary and Vocational Education Commission received the master plan to initiate the development of TVET career platform.

The ceremony was held recently at the Skills Development and Vocational Education Division of the Ministry of Education with the presence of Secretary of the Ministry of Education Mrs. Wasantha Perera, Director General of TVEC Dr. K.A. Lalithadheera and Country Director of KOICA Ms. Kim Myung Jin.

Earlier KOICA provided a grant aid worth USD 6 mn to the Ministry of Education and Tertiary and Vocational Training Commission to implement the TVET career platform.

KOICA spokesperson said that the project was meant to address youth unemployment through the development of an ICT-based career platform for TVET trainees. “We have invested significantly in strengthening the capacities of the service providers, including the policy makers, career guidance professionals, and administrators attached to the platform,” the official said.

The career platform is designed to provide career guidance for the TVET trainees and prospective students of NVQ Levels 5, 6 and 7 representing courses under 4 major sectors: construction, manufacturing, tourism, and ICT. In this specific career platform, trainees will receive career guidance and job support through Career Guidance Officers and create an environment of decent job opportunities by sharing employment information among companies, institutions, and trainees. The platform is designed with the expectation of expanding the user scope in the future aligning with the trends in the labor market.

Ms. Kim Myung Jin and many other invitees representing public and private sector organizations.

During the ceremony, the Country Director of KOICA, Ms. Kim Myung Jin stated “Today, we witness a remarkable milestone in the development of the TVET sector in Sri Lanka. National Education Policy Framework for 2020 – 2030 declares that career guidance at key stages is mandatory for all sectors of education.

Therefore, the platform offered under this project is a very timely approach and support. Education is a catalyst for the long-term development of a country. Korean Government and KOICA stand in solidarity with Sri Lanka in this time of need and will continue to support for development of the country.”