Sri Lanka-german vocational training project in Kilinochchi

An 8-million Euro vocational training centre was recently launched in Kilinochchi by the Deputy Minister for Youth Affairs and Skills Development Duminda Dissanayake and German Ambassador Jens Ploetner.

They unveiled the foundation plaque for the Sri Lankan German Vocational Training Institute - Kilinochchi, the largest vocational training facility in the north, the Germany embassy said in a media statement.

It said Germany has committed Euros 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 occu- pational needs. The training institute is spread across 25 acres of land in Araviyalnagar, five km from Killinochchi town and will employ more than 50 teachers.

" The youth of the North has gone through tremendous hard- ship! With German Tec North, we aim to give young women and men a better future. And we also consider this to be a solid investment into a peaceful future for the country as a whole." said German Ambassador Mr Ploetner. 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).