A career within your reach

By Esther Williams

Sadly, however, those who do not make the grade owing to insufficient guidance, and the unemployed, unaware of the career options available to them are sometimes led astray. Results of a survey conducted by the Sri Lanka Anti-Narcotics Association (SLANA), reveal that an alarming number of youth in the age group of 15-29 are being arrested for drug abuse. 

It is not only human resources but also capital that is being wasted through drug abuse that is affecting our society in various ways. This forms an important target group that the country needs to address. To add to this, the economic recession has raised the level of unemployment to around 25% for those in the 15-24 age group.

It is to meet this urgent need that the National Career Fair 2002 is being organised jointly by SLANA (Sri Lanka Anti Narcotics Association) and the Rotary Club of Colombo. The event, the first of its kind (at a national level) will bring together educators, trainers and counsellors to meet with students and thereby introduce their institutions and courses available. It will be a one-stop marketing place offering new and exciting educational and training services and opportunities to gain information in choosing careers, thus opening the doors to whole new world of education.

The recent trend has shown many school leavers opting for software development / engineering, (the more advertised courses) and spending huge sums on them. Although this is important, the country does not need so many software engineers, says Asitha Gunasekara of the Rotary Club, Colombo. 

SLANA's Darshinie Guniyangoda, addressing the press stated that, "The aim of the career fair is to enable students and school-leavers to develop a career path and make achievable and realistic goals." The fair that will be held at the Taj Samudra (North Lawn) on March 8, 9 and 10 will bring together students, school leavers, parents, teachers, employers and those looking for career options and career changes. Parents and teachers are especially targeted as they play a vital role in guiding and supporting the students in choosing their area of interest. 

The organisers hope the fair will draw an estimated 5000 visitors. Entrance to the fair is free and transportation could be organised on request for outstation groups.

On all three days, speakers from different fields which will include institutions of Higher Education, Hospitality, Medicine, Law, Arts, Crafts, Beauty, Fashion, Tourism, Social Service, Armed Forces, Airline and Marine services and Education Officers of Foreign Embassies will be making presentations and explaining potential opportunities in their respective fields. Details of obtaining scholarships to study abroad will be available. Participating institutions numbering over 150, from all the areas mentioned above will stress the need for either higher education or vocational training that would help students prepare for successful careers in the highly competitive global environment. 

Schools will also have the opportunity to set up appointments with interested parties, for them to visit their campus / classroom and discuss curricula. For the country it would ensure that the human resources of the nation are more productively engaged for its economic development.

The Chairman of the Board of Investment Arjuna Mahendran, is reported to have said that the country needed an adequate trained work force in order to invite foreign investment into the country. To be able to do so, he stated that the country should be ready with the workforce trained in modern technological skills to suit investor requirements. Could this Career Fair 2002 be a step towards achieving this?

According to Project Co-ordinator of the National Career Fair, Arun Thapar, "The ulitimate objective of the fair is to bring opportunities to the doorstep of the students so they have direct access to such institutions and training organisations." The Project officer has called for institutions to reserve space and expects a good response. "It is a non-profit venture and any funds made would be used purely for community development," he adds.

Kumar Nadesan, President of SLANA announced that the fair would be annual feature to which the Taj Samudra has provided tremendous support. Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe is expected to open the fair.