Germany funds Euro 8 m boost for vocational training in north

Deputy Minister for Youth Affairs and Skills Development Duminda Dissanayake and German Ambassador Jens Ploetner thursday unveiled the foundation plaque for the Sri Lankan German Vocational Training Institute in Kilinochchi, the largest vocational training facility in northern Sri Lanka.

Germany has committed Euro 8 million for this project, which aims to provide vocational training opportunities to young men and women from conflict affected areas. It will offer three-year courses to 400 full-time students and a variety of short-term courses to suit different occupational needs. The training institute is spread across 25 acres of land in Araviyalnagar, five km from Kilinochchi town, and will employ more than 50 teachers.

“The youth of the north has gone through tremendous hardship. With German Tech North, we aim to give young women and men a better future. We also consider this to be a solid investment into a peaceful future for the country as a whole,” said German Ambassador Jens Ploetner.

“German support for vocational training in Sri Lanka has been one of the most successful aspects of the long-standing cooperation between our two countries. I believe that this new facility will contribute to this success story in the future,” he added.

The Sri Lankan German Vocational Training Institute Kilinochchi is the latest addition to the network of German funded vocation training centres in the island, including its flagship venture – German Tech, Moratuwa (CGTTI), which has trained thousands of students in the past 50 years.

The institute will function under the Ministry of Youth and Skills Development. The project is implemented by the German arm for development co-operation (GIZ, formerly known as GTZ) under the guidance of the National Apprentice and Industrial Training Authority (NAITA).

The new facility which is expected to be constructed within two to three years will also include hostel facilities for trainees travelling from distant places. However, the first phase of training activities will commence shortly at the NAITA premises in Kilinochchi. Close collaboration with the private sector is sought to ensure that those trained will have access to gainful employment.