NYC in extensive training program

By S. Thilainathan

President Mahinda Rajapaksa presents the Best Cadet award

Minister Dullas Alahapperuma presents gifts to the trainees

The National Youth Corps (NYC) under the Youth Affairs and Skills Development Ministry has three guidelines, discipline, leadership and personality development, NYC Chairman, Capt. Nalinda Illangakoon told the Sunday Observer.

Illangakoon said Youth Affairs and Skills Development Minister Dullas Alahapperuma motivated the development and expansion of the NYC to serve young men and women of the motherland.

NYC Chairman, Capt. Nalinda Illangakoon

He said the NYC comprises 38 training centres spread throughout the island, where residential and non-residential training courses are conducted for youth between 15-29 (no educational background needed).

Illangakoon said emphasis was on the multi-faceted development of individuals as personalities rather than training for general jobs. He said strict discipline is maintained in the classrooms, where subjects range from social science, personality development, vocational training and computer literacy. Sinhala, Tamil an English language proficiency with physical health and training are also included.

He said outdoor training is a special aspect of the program and assists in the creation of a confident personality equipped to meet all life's challenges.

Illangakoon said the curriculum for the training program comprises 11 sections. The first segment deals with citizenship, national heritage, social science, aesthetic studies and youth counselling. The second segment is on personality development, and the third on career guidance and life skills development. Physical training and squad drill are also included in the curriculum, while communication and writing skills in English, Tamil and Sinhala are encouraged, he said.

Outdoor training for boys and girls

Training on motor mechanism

Illangakoon said building confidence and motivating youth to overcome social obstacles is the main reason to arrange outdoor training for youth.

The vocational training in the fields included the following trades: Agriculture and livestock development, Motor mechanics, Aeronautical/marine mechanics, Information Technology, Electrical Electronic and Air Conditioning, Finance Management, Gem and Jewellery, Hotels - Travel and Tourism, Footwear and Leather Industry, Medical and Health Science, Metal Engineering, Steel fabricating, Office Management, Heavy machine operators, Printing and packaging, Textiles and garments, Teacher Training, Performing Arts and media, Wood craft industry and marketing.

Illangakoon said the National Youth Corps has begun a new training program targeting the tourism industry, considered to herald unprecedented growth in the future.

At present, approximately 800 youth have completed basic courses in hotel housekeeping, food and beverages and landscaping, relevant to the hotel trade, at 20 training centres of the NYC.

It would be a tremendous boost to be gainfully employed in the tourist sector, including star - class hotels. Many youth are able to find employment in the hospitality sector, even before the completion of the courses. The services of veteran specialists have been enlisted as resource persons for the courses.

Illangakoon said all developments and achievements in the National Youth Corps was made due to the guidance and assistance of Minister Dullas Alahapperuma.

NYC could be contacted at www.youthcorps.lk