92% of SL youth seek 'alternative' employment avenues: Youth Affairs Ministry
Sri Lanka's youth makes up 26 per cent of the country's population, equalling roughly 5 million persons. Of this, 280,000 students leave the education system every year, having completed their GCE O/L and A/L exams.
As a result, 92 per cent of young people seek "alternative avenues" to employment, according to a statement issued by the local unit of HSBC, which attributed these findings to the country's Ministry of Youth Affairs and Skills Development.
Further, the HSBC statement also announced that the bank would be joining a recently launched initiative spearheaded by Sarvodaya Fusion, a local non-governmental organisation focusing on IT skills development. It was also noted that the programme also encompasses the country's Ministry of Education and the Sri Lankan unit of Microsoft, as well as professional trainers Global Talent Coaching and Consultants Additionally, the statement also revealed that this joint effort will encompass "400 young people in the North, East, South and West".
“The training programmes will be conducted over a period of six months with an allocated time for practical sessions, theory and revision. Each course will cover the basics of essential computing skills that are required for employment and help build self-confidence which will enable participants to apply IT in their day to day operations". There will also be course content that covers "effective time management, team work, setting of goals and objectives, engaging in conversation and exchanging ideas, facilitating meetings and making effective presentations".
It was also indicated that, aside from contributing the curricula to the programme, "Microsoft will make further investment towards the development of the programme in all four provinces".
Further, the HSBC statement also announced that the bank would be joining a recently launched initiative spearheaded by Sarvodaya Fusion, a local non-governmental organisation focusing on IT skills development.
(JH)