The Board of Investment (BOI) recently collaborated with the National Apprentice and Industrial Training Authority (NAITA) to address the dearth of human capital at the level of technical skills, which has been a challenge for industries over a period of time.
The enterprises at the Horana Export Processing Zone (EPZ) had encountered a shortage of electricians, welders, plumbers and fitters for the operation of the factories. This prompted the BOI to team up with the NAITA where they agreed to provide skills, expertise, and training to school leavers so that the scarcity of the workforce could be mitigated.
On top of that, the apprentices will be absorbed into relevant companies and factories upon the completion of the training as per the needs of the enterprises.
This move will not be confined to the Horana EPZ but will be extended to other zones as well. The new initiative will help students to mould themselves and find the ideal career path.
The launch ceremony was held at the Horana Export Processing Zone recently where a group of 22 school leavers living in Horana commenced their training.
BOI Chairman Raja Edirisuriya said, “This initiative does not only create new human capital in BOI enterprises but address the national requirement of technically skilled human capital.”
“Upon completion, students are awarded the NVQ certificate, which will help them go up to a degree level. Thus, I firmly request the students to make use of this opportunity, to develop their skills and find the ideal career path,” he said.