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Prima Baking Training Centre (PBTC) in Rajagiriya, the brainchild of Chairman of Prima Group of Companies to promote the baking industry in Sri Lanka, was opened one year ago. The PBTC, the only state-of-the-art training centre for baking in Sri Lanka offers training covering the full spectrum of baking; basic and advanced courses for those aspiring to start a new business in baking, advanced courses in the intricacies of baking for those aspiring to upgrade their skills and finally leading up to professional qualifications.

The PBTC is owned by Prima Ceylon Limited (PCL) which has been supplying wheat flour to the country for over 25 years. PBTC is a licensee of the prestigious Baking Industry Training Centre in Singapore (BITC). The three largest Wheat Associations, US Wheat Associates, the Canadian Wheat Board (CWB) and the Australian Wheat Board (AWB) have been very supportive in setting up PBTC.

Prior to the opening of the PBTC, PCL has been conducting training programs for bakers islandwide through mobile workshops aimed at enhancing their knowledge in the intricacies of baking, improving the variety and quality of their products, with emphasis on aspects of hygiene that are essential for the food industry, and advising on costing and marketing.

After the opening, the PBTC conducted many courses and seminars in-house. These included two training programs and seminars with the CWB and American Institute of Baking (AIB) well attended by local as well as overseas participants. In the future PBTC will continue to conduct many such interactive programs with international players in the industry as this will give students the opportunity for international exposure.

The PBTC is registered with the Tertiary and Vocational Education Commission of Sri Lanka and efforts are under way for the PBTC to obtain accreditation from other internationally renowned Baking Institutes.

Courses at the PBTC range from full one-day courses for basic skills to Diploma level courses covering a few months of one or two days per week. All courses are provided with sound theoretical knowledge and hands-on practical training where the students turn out their own products to international standards at the conclusion of each session.

The courses are for turning out all types of products - biscuits, pastry, bread, buns, savories, cakes and also cake decorating. The skill obtained at PBTC is well sought after in the confectionery, hotel and tourist industries in Sri Lanka and overseas. The knowledge gained is invaluable for self-employment, home business or for productive employment.

The PBTC is well equipped with all the modern machinery, has comfortable airconditioned lecture rooms with audio visual facilities and a compact library, all of which provide students with an environment conducive for learning their skills easily.

The Principal of the Centre, Ranjan Amerasinghe, a graduate of the American Institute of Baking (AIB) holds a Diploma in Baking Science and Technology from the renowned United Flour Mills, Bangkok, Thailand.

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