Colombo Dockyard to offer training for youth in shipbuilding industry

The Ports, Shipping and Aviation Minister has emphasised that the Colombo Dockyard PLC is the best facility for the training of university students specialising in the shipbuilding industry. The Minster expressed these ideas attending a special inspection tour there.

Currently, 20 undergraduate students are pursuing the BSc Eng. Hons. Program with a specialisation in Marine Engineering and Naval Architecture (MENA) at the University of Ruhuna have been provided with the opportunity to undergo a six-month training at Colombo Dockyard PLC. This is the first degree program of its kind offered by a government university in Sri Lanka. The Minister further highlighted that the Colombo Dockyard PLC, renowned for its utilisation of cutting-edge technology, serves an important institution with potential for expansion as a training facility. “This expansion could be facilitated through the allocation of space under the Port of Trincomalee Development Project,” he said.

The Minister urged the institution’s Management to provide extensive support to local students, enabling them to enhance their industrial potential in the shipbuilding industry. In response, the Colombo Dockyard Management stated that they would soon offer training opportunities for local students in afloat repairs at the Port of Trincomalee.

During a video presentation, Colombo Dockyard revealed that they have successfully constructed and delivered 236 vessels of various types to multiple European and Asian countries, as per their request. Currently, the institution employs a workforce of approximately 3000 individuals.

At the visit, the Minister also inspected the two vessels, ‘Sophia Germain’ and ‘Misje Viola’ being constructed at the Colombo Dockyard.

Secretary to the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Aviation K.D.S.Ruwanchandra, the Colombo Dockyard Chairman Hideaki Tanaka and several officials also attended the occasion.