International Labour Organisation (ILO) partners with EDEX to launch Inaugural “EDEX Job Fair 2014”
Recognising the important role played by EDEX for the past 10 years to empower aspiring youth in Sri Lanka to be globally competitive and to obtain decent employment by facilitating choices, options and opportunities in world class education and market relevant skills through numerous initiatives, the International Labour Organization ( ILO) in Colombo will partner with EDEX Expo to launch their inaugural “job Fair” to be held in January 2014.
EDEX will introduce its inaugural ‘ Job Fair’ on a national scale concurrent with Sri Lanka’s largest education exhibition - EDEX Expo 2014 at BMICH, Colombo with the aim of facilitating decent employment opportunities for youth.
The ILO is a specialized Agency of the United Nations that promotes social justice and internationally- recognized labour rights. It is dedicated to bring decent work, job-related security and better living standards to people worldwide. Speaking on the occasion of signing the service agreement, ILO Country Director for Sri Lanka and the Maldives, Donglin Li said ‘ In keeping with our strategic objectives the ILO supports creating greater opportunities for women and men to decent and productive employment, whilst enhancing the coverage and effectiveness of social protection for all. Therefore we are happy to partner with EDEX in this timely endeavour’.
The inaugural EDEX Job Fair will unveil a new paradigm in recruitment in Sri Lanka and will provide an opportunity for youth ready for the “world of work” to interact directly with Employers and understand the expectations of the job market and seek timely employment. The job fair will also allow youth to cut across long delays as well as numerous barri- ers in seeking employment and will facilitate a smooth school to work transition.
Hailing the ILO endorsement as a huge encouragement for his passionate team of volunteers C h a i r man EDEX Kamal Abeysinghe said ‘ Leading corporates from a diverse mix of sectors among the most preferred employers by the youth are expected to participate at the ‘ EDEX Job Fair 2014’. They will offer a diverse range of job choices, whilst synergies brought to the platform by several strategic partners and stakeholders will offer unprecedented value enrichment to aspiring youth’.
‘As a job fair of this magnitude will be a new experience to most employers and job seekers alike, we are hopeful that the ‘ Job Fair’ will attract a diverse profile of visitors ranging from the unemployed or under- employed; post O/ L, A/ L, NVQ/ Diploma qualified, university graduates, undergraduates or skilled, semi- skilled or low- skilled seeking gainful employment or internships. We are also in discussion with the UGC to ensure participation of Final Year undergraduates from all universities in the country’ observed Abeysinghe.
Visitors to the EDEX Job Fair are expected to bring their CVs with them and will have the unique chance in ‘ real time’ and ‘one place’ to;
Explore and Learn about diverse job/ career opportunities currently available in a variety of sectors in well known companies
Ascertain Local/ Global opportunities in emerging and lesserknown industries/career paths.
Personally meet, engage with and have their resume reviewed by HR Professionals from leading companies in private sector
Deepen the understanding of what employers expect from potential employees, hiring and skill needs relating to their line/s of business/companies.
Participate in ‘on site spot interviews’ leading to early recruitment.
Participate in a number of Soft Skills development oriented seminars, mini workshops, psychometric testing etc. (Free of Charge)
Expand networking horizons among numerous stakeholders and peers from other universities/ districts.
EDEX Job Fair 2014 is being supported by the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce (CCC), SLASSCOM, Employers’ Federation of Ceylon (EFC), Organisation of Professional Associations ( OPA), Old Royalists Human Resource Professionals Associat i o n ( ORHRPA) and Career Guidance Counselors Association of Sri Lanka.
EDEX Expo 2014 has also been endorsed by the Presidential S e c re t a r i a t , s eve r a l line Ministries including the Ministry of Higher Education, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Skills Development, Ministry of Labour & Labour Re l a t i o n s , M i n i s t r y of Environment and Renewable Energ y and Ministry of Productivity Promotion..