Sri Lanka to host first regional conference on vocational education

By Nizla Naizer

Sri Lanka will host the first South Asian regional conference of IVETA (International Vocational Education and Training Association) from August 19 – 22.
The conference will bring together experts on vocational training and education from across the globe to discuss the theme of “Innovative TVET Initiatives to Support Sustainable Economic Development and Poverty Reduction, and the Role of TVET in Improving Social Equity”.
The conference will be organised in association with the Department of Technical Education and Training (DTET) Sri Lanka.
DTET Director General and Chief Coordinator from Sri Lanka, Dr. L. H. Obeysekara said that this is the first time IVETA is organising a conference in the Asia Pacific region.
The issues discussed during the conference include Human Resource Programmes in post conflict situations, which Dr. Obeysekara explained is very relevant to the country. “Our department has already trained over 100 ex-LTTE combatants in rehabilitation centres across the country with over 700 still provided with training,” he said added.
“And we are have also registered 12,000 IDPs at Technical College Jaffna. So we have hands on experience in dealing with a post conflict situation.”
He said that the conference will be beneficial to Sri Lanka as it will emerge as a learning opportunity where the use of indigenous knowledge and skills of the people can be used towards self-help and sustainable development.
The other issues that are on the agenda include, supporting small and medium enterprise (SME) development, customised quick start training for enterprises, linkages between poverty levels and TVET, career information and counselling and lifelong learning and the knowledge economy.
The conference will also coincide with the anniversary celebrations of the Technical Colleges in Sri Lanka.
“We will conduct four large exhibitions across the island to celebrate the 115th anniversary of Colombo Technical College and 50th anniversary of Kandy, Galle and Jaffna.” The exhibitions held at these four locations will bring out the talents of the regional youth to the fore.
US based IVETA is an organisation and network of vocational educators, vocational skills training organisations, business and industrial firms, and other individuals and groups interested or involved in vocational education and training worldwide. IVETA is dedicated to the advancement and improvement of high-quality vocational education and training wherever it exists and wherever it is needed.