CMI Sri Lanka and KPMG Sri Lanka make impact through forum for Room to Read on Women’s Day

The Chartered Management Institute (CMI) – Sri Lanka and KPMG in Sri Lanka together conducted a virtual forum for Room to Read on International Women’s Day.

Room to Read is a Non-Governmental Organisation which seeks to transform the lives of millions of children in low-income communities by focusing on literacy and gender equality in education. Room to Read's Girls’ Education Program was founded with the belief that educated women can bring a positive change to the world. 

The interactive forum was conducted to provide training to the facilitators of Room to Read who dedicate their time to teaching and training underprivileged children in Sri Lanka in order to support them in becoming educated and strong women in the community.

The training focused on imparting knowledge with on corporate expectations and skillsets required from new entrants to the corporate world. For the purpose of this session, KPMG in Sri Lanka as the knowledge partner of the CMI Sri Lanka Branch, provided a valued resource person, KPMG Director – HR Advisory (People & Change) Sharon Abeyratne to conduct the proceedings. 

Abeyratne counts 28 years of work experience, transiting from legal practice to operational HR and then to ‘HR Advisory – People & Change’ practice in advising client organisations across diversified sectors - in overall HR initiatives including recruitment and selection. 

Below are the highlights of the session:

nThe old ways are no longer effective as the expectations of corporates have changed considerably over the years.

nNew entrants into the corporate world have unrealistic expectations, lack skills that corporates are looking for, lack real-world experience and are frustrated that it is not ‘payback time’ – but a time of brand-new challenges.

nIn order to build individuals who meet corporate expectations the K SAM Competency Model Approach is ideal. 

nCorporates require certain skills from new entrants such as: communication skills, computer and technical literacy, inter-personal skills, flexibility and adaptability, willingness to learn and self-motivation, commitment and reliability, teamwork and cooperation, drive, initiative and self-management, analytical skills, abstract thinking, logical thinking and problem solving, planning and the ability to work under pressure and research skills, presentation skills and social etiquette. 

nHow we can shape individuals to build the necessary skills:

lRe-framing the curriculum to make it more relevant to the needs of the industry.

lCollaborations with the industries by way of labs, events, contests, internship, research-based projects.

lIntroduction of internship training for faculty members by inducting them to corporates to learn practical perspectives.

lPromoting alumni-based mentorship programmes by way of training, experiential learning, etc.

lEnhance focus on soft skills, communication skills, technical skills, etc.

nIn order to be successful in a role while also being happy and healthy it is important to find ‘hope and courage’ by building a strong heart, gaining wisdom and finding our mission and calling.

The forum enlightened over 70 participants, who will in turn use this newly acquired knowledge to educate and inspire underprivileged children across the country. CMI and its knowledge partner, KPMG in Sri Lanka are happy to have been able to support Room to Read in this initiative and create value in our community while also contributing towards building an inclusive future.