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US
funded Vocational Training Center opens in Ambalangoda
Minister for Vocational and Technical Training Piyasena Gamage and
U.S. Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission James R. Moore, together opened
a newly rebuilt vocational training center (VTC) in Ambalangoda
recently.
Speaking at a ceremony to mark the opening, Mr. Moore said, “The
U.S. Government is honoured to support the construction of a facility
that will provide greater opportunities for local youth – for
the next generation in your great country.” In his speech,
Minister Gamage emphasised the importance of vocational training
to economic growth at the local level, and he thanked the U.S. Government
for its extensive cooperation with his ministry on other projects
throughout Sri Lanka.
Construction of the VTC was funded by a grant from the U.S. Agency
for International Development (USAID). The new facility not only
replaces the old building, which was ravaged by the tsunami three
years ago, but also represents USAID’s commitment to “building
back better” with a much enhanced facility. Moreover, the grant
paid for the purchase of advanced training equipment and high-quality
tools.
USAID collaborated closely with the Vocational Training Authority
(VTA) to implement the grant, especially in developing the curriculum
that will be utilised in the new facility. The curriculum design
took into account the job market, the requests of the residents
of the region around Ambalangoda, and the course offerings at nearby
VTCs. As a result of this study and consultation, training to be
offered in Ambalangoda will include outboard motor repair, beauty
culture, and three-wheeler and motorcycle repair. As part of its
tsunami reconstruction efforts in Sri Lanka, USAID will have built
by 2008 more than a dozen vocational training centers throughout
the country, while also working with the VTA on curriculum development
and teacher training.
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