U.S. funded Vocational Training Centre opens

Colombo, December 21, Minister for Vocational and Technical training Piyasena Gamage and U.S. Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission James R. Moore together opened a newly rebuilt vocational training centre (VTC) at Ambalangoda recently.

The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). The new facility not only replaces the old building, which was ravaged by the tsunami three years ago, but also represents USAID's commitment to "building back better" with a much enhanced facility.

Moreover, the grant paid for the purchase of advanced training equipment and high-quality tools.USAID collaborated closely with the Vocational Training Authority (VTA) to implement the grant, especially in developing the curriculum that will be utilized in the new facility.

The curriculum design took into account the job market, the requests of the residents of the region around Ambalangoda, and the course offerings at nearby VTCs. As a result of this study and consultation, training to be offered in Ambalangoda will include outboard motor repair, beauty culture, and three-wheeler and motorcycle repair.

As part of its tsunami reconstruction efforts in Sri Lanka, USAID will have built by 2008 more than a dozen vocational training centres throughout the country,while also working with the VTA on curriculum development and teacher training.