Journey of success for 500 City & Guilds Engineering graduates
View(s):City and Guilds is a reputed vocational education training programme, established in the United Kingdom, with a history that dates back to 1878. It was only appropriate that such an established organisation should branch out across the world to provide skills and knowledge for those interested in pursuing careers that required a vocational training. City & Guilds currently offers about 800 courses that range from basic entry level to a status of professional achievement. In Sri-Lanka about thirty of these programmes are currently offered through City & Guilds approved centres.
City and Guilds hosted a grand graduation ceremony, on the 4th of September 2013 at the BMICH, for over 475 students, who have successfully completed the City and Guild’s educational programmes. The graduating group of students included 450 graduate diploma holders and 25 post-graduate diploma holders. A total of twelve students from Sri Lanka were able to achieve the prestigious medals of excellence out of 48 medals of excellence awarded internationally. These medals were achieved in the fields of 
telecommunication engineering, electrical engineering, civil engineering, motor vehicle engineering, hair and beauty, and the culinary arts. The medals of excellence are awarded to students who achieve the highest grades amongst students worldwide. In addition, three most deserving students who had advanced diplomas were awarded with bursaries worth 1500 pounds each, to pursue the graduate diploma. The Chief Guest at the graduation ceremony was Minister of youth affairs and skills development Hon. Dallas Alahapperuma. Special guests at the graduation ceremony were Prof. DayanthaWijesekara, the Chairman of the tertiary &vocational education commission, President of the institute of engineers – Sri Lanka Eng. Thilak de Silva and President of the Institution of Incorporated engineers – Sri Lanka Mr.Ariyawansa.
City and Guilds currently has 10,000 students following their educational programmes in a variety of fields ranging from engineering, hair and beauty therapy to culinary arts. “Our past students are successfully employed and are in rewarding jobs. Most past students are employed overseas as well, since our qualification is recognised and accepted globally they have no problem in finding employment. Employers are always impressed with the levels of skill and knowledge that our students display.” said Mufthy Hashim, the regional manager for City and Guilds in South Asia. Students follow the City and Guilds educational programmes through over one hundred approved training centres located island-wide. The training centres are strictly evaluated and monitored by the quality assurance team of City and Guilds, thus ensuring that the high standards of quality are maintained at all times and at all centres. The course materials for both students and lecturers are provided by City and Guilds, which also conduct regular teacher-training events to ensure that those involved in the delivery of the program content are up to date in terms of knowledge and mode of delivery. However, all assessments are graded by the external verifiers appointed by City and Guilds.
The City and Guilds graduate diploma is equivalent to a three-year degree from a UK university, while the post-graduate diploma is equivalent to a master’s degree from a UK university. Students have the option of progressing on the City and Guilds path to a graduate diploma after ordinary levels or after advanced levels. Last year, a Sri Lankan student was able to achieve the highest award within City and Guilds – the Lion award, which is presented to one outstanding student amongst City and Guilds students worldwide.
(JTK)