Training school for firefighters to be set up in Galle

For the first time in South Asia, an internationally-accredited training school for firefighters will be opened in Galle, aiming to attract both local and foreign students.The two companies involved in this initiative, Association of Firefighters South Korea and Troja International Management and Consulting Services, Biyagama, are targeting to attract students from India, Bangladesh and the Maldives to follow this six months course.

Though there is huge demand in the world for qualified firefighters, there is no internationally qualified firefighting training school in the region, hence many high- paying international job opportunities do not come to the region, depriving it of a huge amount of foreign remittances, informed sources said.

“It is to fill this gap that we joined Association of Firefighters South Korea, one of the largest training schools in Korea, said chairman, Troja International Management and Consulting Services Dr. Nimal Rohitha Kahagalagewa.

Kahagalagewa said that they hope to commence the course in September and are expecting to produce 500 firefighters within the first six months.

Director, Troja international Ravindra Gayanath said that they have already received the approval and the assistance of the Minister of Labour and Foreign Employment Manusha Nanayakkara. “The minister has also provided space to us from the Galle Town Hall premises to launch this course. We hope to advertise this course from next month.”

‘The Galle Municipal Council firefighting unit too would be upgraded to facilitate practical training activities, chairman, Association of Firefighters South Korea, Kang Yun Jin said. ‘Sri Lanka went through a financial crisis and we are very keen to open this school in Sri Lanka which will help to increase remittances to the island.’

Kang added: ‘After undergoing the first course (TOPIK2) in Sri Lanka, trainees will be recruited to the school where they will be provided advanced training and then sent for employment where over 450 companies in Korea have ready-made jobs for them. The minimum salary would be nearly Rs. 700,000.”If our firefighters want to move to Europe, UK or USA this too is possible as our certificate is accepted all over the world.’

Chairman, Association of Nursing South Korea, Kim Song Chor said that as in the case of firefighters there is also a demand for caregivers in hospitals in Korea and that they hope to introduce a similar TOPIK2 course in nursing, starting at the end of the year, also in Galle.

Chor, who is also a Vice President at the Association of Firefighters said they will be sending volunteer teachers for both these courses, while online platforms too would be introduced.

(HS)