Foreign jobs for local nurses

by Chanuka Mannapperuma

The Ministry of Labour and Foreign Employment will train local nurses for foreign employment. Under this program the nurses who complete the local training will undergo further training in a recognised university in the United Kingdom.

Minister of Labour Relations and Foreign Employment Athauda Senevirathne said the main objective of the program is to provide employment opportunities for our nurses in the European market.

The Minister said, that already 150 nurses have been selected after interviews where the emphasis was on the applicant's knowledge in science and English. The course will be conducted by Health Department officials.

According to the Minister the government will provide hostel facilities and other educational requirements. The annual intake for the course would be around 150 and the local course fee per-head is Rs. 2,000.

The course for nurses will be conducted in English at the Kalubowila Hospital in Colombo South, before they are sent to England for a three-month course in higher studies.