EFC's ICT Training Centre launches CISCO programs

The ICT Training Centre of the EFC which was launched in 2009 with the support of the International Labour Organization (ILO) is the nucleus of the Network on Disability. Embracing the vision of 'productive employment through social harmony', its objective is to develop the skills of persons with diverse disabilities in the country.

Under the guidance of Head of the ICT Training Centre, Manique Gunaratne, it has benefited 159 people with diverse disabilities, to date, including school-leavers, job seekers, undergraduates and those employed from all corners of the island.

Ms. Gunaratne was recruited as a role model to the Network on Disability in 2001, as the first employee with a disability. Losing her sight 15 years ago due to retinitispigmentosa for which no cure has still been found, Ms. Gunaratne's commitment for the betterment of the visually impaired in the country is exemplary.

The Training Centre equipped with over 50 devices designed for persons with disabilities and other software, also collaborates with the Curtin University of Technology in Australia and SLIIT (Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology), Malabe. The programs are also recognized by the Tertiary and Vocational Education Commission (TVEC) and within the EFC membership which consists of 620 companies.

The ICT Training Centre receiving the CISCO Academy status last year is the latest feather in its cap. Ms Gunaratne said, "This is a milestone for the ICT Training Centre as it is the only training centre in the country which trains people with diverse disabilities in CISCO courses. CISCO is a globally recognized IT qualification."

In April, EFC launched Cisco Computer Network Associate Courses (CCNA).

"Specialists said that people with CISCO qualifications are often ranked in the top three highest paid slots. CISCO's own research indicates that certified professionals often earn as much as 10% more than peers without CISCO credentials working in similar routing and networking jobs," she said.

For the CCNA Course, nine persons with disabilities have been selected. Among them are three vision -impaired participants, three hearing impaired and three with physical disabilities.