DIMO revolutionises vocational training via new facility in Peliyagoda

DIMO management, DATS officials and partners, along with other distinguished guests, ceremonially mark the opening of the new DATS facility in Peliyagoda with a symbolic cake-cutting

DIMO Chairman Ranjith Pandithage (left) and AHK Sri Lanka Chief Delegate Martin Klose unveiling the DIMO Academy for Technical Skills plaque

DIMO Academy Head Vimukthi Randeny

• DIMO relocates DATS expanding student capacity
• New programs include Automobile Mechatronics, Plant Engineering, and Hybrid Vehicle Technology, to cultivate industry talent 
• Full-time learners up from 9 in 2018 to over 200 now
• Plant Engineering Diploma offers guaranteed jobs with German partner HomeServe
• Prime Minister backs vocational education in Sri Lanka’s Decade of Skills Development
• Calls to end stigma around vocational jobs and value skilled workers
• Says private sector and Govt. partnerships driving education reform

By Janani Kandaramage

DIMO, on Monday announced the relocation of its state-of-the-art DIMO Academy for Technical Skills (DATS) facility to Peliyagoda yesterday marking a transformative milestone in its sustained commitment to elevating vocational education in Sri Lanka. 

This strategic expansion reinforces the academy’s mission to nurture globally competitive technical professionals equipped with internationally benchmarked training.

Designed to expand access and raise the bar for vocational excellence, the new DATS facility is set to significantly scale the institution’s capacity by accommodating a greater student intake across established programs.

The expanded infrastructure will support budding facilities such as Automobile Mechatronics, Plant Engineering, Hybrid and Electric Vehicle Technology, and Mechatronics among others. The latest Automobile Mechatronics intake alone boasts 50 students, and DATS now serves over 200 full-time learners, a remarkable leap from just 9 students in 2018.

The Plant Engineering Diploma, now backed by guaranteed employment through German partner HomeServe, also opens a new chapter in global employability. “The next intake begins in September,” declared DIMO Academy Senior Manager Vimukthi Randeny, inviting aspiring professionals to seize the opportunity.

In addition, the introduction of an array of new full-time and part-time courses will extend its reach to a more diverse cohort—spanning a wide range of age groups, backgrounds, and professional aspirations.

With a firm commitment to align over 98% of its curriculum, duration, and examination process with German vocational standards—the prestigious “A Certificate” level—the institution stands out in both academic rigor and industry relevance.

He opined: “The shift to Peliyagoda represents more than just a shift in location—it signals a strategic commitment to elevating vocational education in Sri Lanka to globally benchmarked standards. Through German-accredited programs offered at DATS, graduates unlock unparalleled access to international employment opportunities, particularly in Germany.”

“This transformation delivers a double benefit: our graduates launch world-class careers and Sri Lanka gains through vital foreign remittances and knowledge transfer,” he added.

Highlighting the Government’s robust commitment to vocational and technical education, Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya via a virtual message reaffirmed the nation’s declaration of the 2021–2030 period as the “Decade of Skills Development”. She urged the nation to shed the old mindset that only desk jobs define success, championing the vital role of hands-on workers — from builders to machine operators — in driving Sri Lanka’s progress.

“We must equally value those who keep our country moving, and not just those with tertiary job opportunities, our Government is committed to elevating the importance of vocational education alongside conventional education,” Amarasuriya stated, calling for an end to the stigma surrounding vocational skills.

The Prime Minister also underscored the role of the private sector in steering sustainable educational reform-reinforcing that multi-stakeholder partnerships between industry, academia and the state are steadily reshaping Sri Lanka’s economic framework for the better. 

She described these initiatives as “quiet revolutions — strategic collaborations that may not attract widespread attention but are yielding measurable, long-term impacts by aligning workforce development with national economic goals and market demand.”

One such revolution is the story of the DIMO Academy, hailed as a model of social responsibility and innovation, she asserted. At a time when youth unemployment and unrest were at their peak, she noted DIMO stepped up, launching a training centre to equip young people with tangible, employable skills.

“This wasn’t just about job training,” she said. “It is about building confidence, restoring dignity, and creating hope.”

Commenting on its DATS program, she said DIMO has significantly supported industry by training skilled professionals- strengthening Sri Lanka’s human capital and fostering global employment that drives both private sector growth and foreign income. 

DIMO is a leading Sri Lankan conglomerate committed to delivering value through trusted partnerships and innovative solutions. Operating across diverse sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, construction, mobility, and energy, DIMO provides world-class products and services that enhance everyday life. Guided by ethical practices, it continues to bring quality and convenience to consumers around the globe. 

- Pix by Sameera Wijesinghe