Jlanka Technologies drives incorporation of Solar Technology in local educational curriculum
In the rapidly progressing solar and renewable energy landscape in Sri Lanka, Jlanka Technologies - the foremost solar solutions provider of the country has taken a leading role in promoting economical and ethical business practices to ensure the steady and sustained growth of the local renewable energy industry.
Providing solutions across all areas of domestic, industrial and utility scale solar systems to an impressive portfolio of over 3200 clients, the company has been heavily invested in sharing their accumulated knowledge across all stakeholder groups, a highly commendable effort that resulted in solar technology recently being endorsed by the Tertiary and Vocational Education Commission (TVEC) as part of the vocational and general educational curriculum in Sri Lanka.
This feat comes in the wake of the establishment of Jlanka’s very own Academy of Engineering and Green Technologies, the company’s direct investment in their vision for knowledge dissemination among the next generation of green energy enthusiasts. Referred to as the country’s first ever ‘Green Academy’and the first solar educational establishment, the overarching objective of founding the institution was to nurture a passionate, highly competent and adaptive solar energy workforce to meet the rapidly increasing demand for solar solutions in Sri Lanka.
The Green Academy focuses on educating, engaging and empowering school leavers through a threepronged approach; starting off with a 3 month training and theory course, all participants will next be placed in real-life industrial environments to gain industry experience as well as an income. Finally, upon the successful completion of both the theory and fieldplacement, the participants will receive an internationally accepted certification endorsed by the TVEC with a guaranteed job placement through Jlanka Technologies.
“Even though regular designations such as technician and assistants already existed in our practice, these designations were solely based on the experience, skillset and exposure of the individual,” stated the Head of Jlanka Green Academy, Piyadasa Marambage.
“There was no certification that would enhance their knowledge, nor a platform where they could leverage their expertise to move further in their careers, unless through experience. We understood the urgency of creating a strong foundation for the education and expertise generation of solar in Sri Lanka, not only to increase the quality of the job roles, but to also sustain the renewable energy industry growth across the island.”
In order to bridge this skill gap, the Jlanka team led by Marambage spoke to the TVEC – the apex body in technical and vocational training in Sri Lanka, as well as the National Apprentice and Industrial Training Authority (NAITA), the state body providing industry acceptable technical and vocational training in the country. Jlanka was encouraged by both establishments to expedite the development of an internationally benchmarked solar technology educational framework.
“Solar is an energy source that Sri Lanka adapted slightly late to,” Marambage continued. “But now through Jlanka’s highly economical and strategic investments, it is a technology that is easily accessible to a majority of Sri Lankans island wide.
It is also the one single energy source that we are guaranteed will last beyond our lifetimes. Why not encourage the next generation to utilize it and explore newer, more optimized leveraging of the sun’s freely available energy?”
The initial proposal for the Green Academy was accepted by the former Ministry of Skills Development and Vocational Training in 2017, with Jlanka giving a structured overview of a curriculum, teaching, assessments, examinations and competency measurement for the proposed certification, created in collaboration with leading solar experts and educational consultants in Sri Lanka. This was followed by the Green Academy’s registration and endorsement by the TVEC. The first batch of students have thus far successfully completed the first three months of theory and training, and are currently on-field at their respective industrial placements. The completion of the 6 month training will earn them a level 3 National Vocational Qualification (NVQ).