A continuous one month workshop on English Language and Personality Development was inaugurated on January 12, 2009 at the Hambantota Community Centre, under the guidance of Piyasena Gamage, Minister of Vocational and Technical Training based on a concept of Mr. Namal Rajapaksa, Chairman, Tharunyata Hetak. This programme is initiated and funded by Resilience International Institute of Higher Leaning (RIIHL) in the Netherlands and the training delivery is being done by the Orient Academy.

Sixty (60) youth from the Hambantota District were selected for this pilot programme. There are a number of skilled personnel who are willing to work abroad to earn much valued foreign exchange and develop their skills further. However, almost all of them do not possess the required English communication skills to compete in the international job market. Poor language skills place Sri Lankan youth at a disadvantage. They are losing thousands of employment opportunities due to lack of English language skills required for such employment. Based on this scenario, a special module on career guidance was conducted on January 12 to educate the participants on different career paths, as an integral part of this programme.

A session on personal grooming was conducted by Jeewanshuri Ranmali Gunawardana, Managing Director, Ranmali Associates International (Pvt.) Ltd. The value of English education, correct attitudes and commitment to the purpose required by the youth were emphasized by Miss. Kithali Wijayawikrama, Human Resource Manager of Tharunyata Hetak and Mr. G.R. Perera, the well known tele drama and film artiste. The programme was witnessed by Minister of Ports and Aviation Chamal Rajapaksa, Minister of Irrigation and Water Management Piyasena Gamage, Minister of Vocational and Technical Training and Mr. Thilak Hapangama, the Secretary to the Ministry of Vocational and Technical Training. They commended the progress made by the participants.

This programme will be subjected to comprehensive review, which includes the following:

• Each participant be able to carry out a satisfactory conversation in English with confidence.
• Each participant to have an active vocabulary of at least 1000 words.
• Development of their personalities to meet the challenges in the current job market. Further, a study will be carried out concurrently, on the results and methodologies used to conduct the programme. Depending on the findings of this pilot programme a series of similar programmes will be conducted island wide.

The entire programme is conducted under the direct supervision and guidance of Lionel Pinto, Technical Advisor to the Hon. Minister of Vocational and Technical Training.