VTA offers NVQ5 professional ICT qualification to youth in rural areas
View(s):Sri Lanka’s Vocational Training Authority (VTA) has started offering the National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) Level 5 in Information Communication Technology (ICT), a professional qualification accessible to youth in rural areas, which is also recognised by both state and private organisations, according to a recent statement issued by computer industry body FITIS. It was also noted that the VTA has more than 200 rural vocational training centres across 25 districts island-wide.
Further, per the FITIS statement; “With the completion of NVQ 5 in ICT, the doors for NVQ Level 6 and 7 will be opened at the University of Vocational Technology (UNIVOTEC), and University Colleges which are coming up island-wide.
This includes obtaining globally recognised professional qualifications through internationally recognised bodies. Youth who are deprived of a world class education due to financial constraints but are keen and enthusiastic in furthering their higher education, now have the opportunity to work and learn simultaneously”.
The statement also noted; “Every year, of all the students who sit for the A/L examination, only 10 per cent get selected to the university. Another 10 per cent (have) the ability to afford to go overseas for their higher education and some continue studies locally to obtain professional qualifications.
The rest, the 80 per cent are left out without any aim in life. In fulfilling a national need, the NVQ 5 in ICT at VTA, gives the opportunity to this 80 per cent by opening up new avenues to continue their studies and to reach out to their dream career. Students who have completed the A/L will be able to follow NVQ 5 in ICT, or else they can complete NVQ level 4 and move in to NVQ 5 in ICT. After completion of the course work, the students are provided further six months of on-the-job training (OJT) through VTA professional network. Apprenticeships are considered an effective way to prepare young people for the job market”. At the same time, the statement also signalled that the “VTA has taken its initiative to produce competent and qualified IT professionals, to fulfill the national duty. The VTA is in the process of achieving this, by opening up multiple career pathways focused on the qualitative training and education, combined with theoretical and practical knowledge, to those who enter the field of ICT… The VTA conducts some of its courses free of charge and some, where a fee is charged; it is ensured that a minimum fee is charged, in comparison to its competitors in the market. All the VTA training centres are well equipped with the latest technology and state- of-the- art laboratories to provide the necessary training and the practical knowledge. VTA has a highly qualified and well experienced panel of tutors”.
(JH)