Job oriented IT training from Microsoft

Global software giant Microsoft, is developing industry oriented IT courses for Sri Lanka’s garment, tourism, agriculture and media sectors to improve employment prospects of rural youth. The programmes are aimed at developing employment oriented IT skills by providing hands on experience on how to apply IT and IT tools in the four identified industries.

“This is part of a global initiative by Microsoft called the Microsoft Unlimited Potential programme, funded by Microsoft. Currently we are in the process of developing IT programmes for the four sectors of apparel, tourism, agriculture and media/journalism. We hope to start the courses by August this year,” said Sanjay Edirisinghe from Infoshare, a local non-profit organisation that is the implementing agent for the project on behalf of Microsoft.

Infoshare is working with the Vocational Training Authority and industry representatives from the selected industries to develop the courses. The project will also improve IT courses currently offered by the Vocational Training Authority by helping to update teaching methods and course content to reflect the needs of the local job market.

“Under this programme we will develop 2 new streams of IT curricula. A Computer Fundamentals Course and a set of industry specific IT courses. The industry specific component will be composed of curricula tailor made for the 4 types of industry. The idea is to give people a basic background and then to train them on how they can use IT in their sector of employment,” said Edirisinghe.

The courses will be certified by Microsoft and getting the certification by completing a 4- 6 month course is expected to improve chances in the job market. Particularly in the private sector that is increasing demanding IT skills from recruits. The project is also hoping to award 1,000 scholarships for the courses that will be taught through the Vocational Training Authority’s training network in the country.

Microsoft is providing around US$ 270,000 in cash and in the form of software over the 2 years of the project duration. “The Microsoft Unlimited Potential project is conducted in 92 countries right now and the aim is to help bridge the digital divide in under-developed communities. This is the third grant offered to Sri Lanka. Anyone wanting to get into the 4 identified industries can take the training and find employment.

Persons already employed in these sectors but trying to improve their performance can also participate in the courses,” said Janaki Karunaratne, Manager Community Affairs, Microsoft Sri Lanka. Microsoft is also joining with USAID and the American Chamber of Commerce in a career guidance fair in Galle this June.