APS is the professional studies division of Sujatha Vidyalaya, Nugegoda; which is nearing fifty years of its contribution to education in Sri Lanka. APS was established in 1998 to meet the growing needs of professional training, particularly in teaching English language and for training in HRM related soft skills and business communication for middle level professionals, with enhanced knowledge and skills training in Information Technology. APS is geared to meeting the stringent requirements of business and professions with respect to manpower training and development (T&D).

The various study programmes that APS has developed aim at satisfying T&D needs of professionals, the young entrepreneurs and school leavers and others awaiting job opportunities. The areas which APS has focused so far in various T & D programmes are: Business Communication, Soft Skills for HRM, Information Technology and Teacher Training for Primary School Teachers (English).

The study programmes in IT currently being implemented are: A Certificate Course in ICT and Diploma in Computer Studies, and Computer Study holiday camps for young children 3-15 in different age groups.

Soft Skills courses for HRM cover Business Communication, conducting meetings negotiation, team works, motivation and leadership and inter personal communication. The Professional Teacher Training courses include Diploma in Primary School Teaching (English), Diploma in Teaching English Language and Literature, Diploma in Teaching Selected Subjects in English and Diploma in Pre-School Teaching and Day Care. APS has many years of experience in teacher training courses and has indeed acquired its forte in this field.

APS has received both recognition and accreditation, nationally and internationally for these training programmes. The Teacher Training Diploma programmes are registered with the Tertiary and Vocational Education Commission under the Ministry of Vocational and Technical Training. The UK based Edexcel (International) has given accreditation to Teacher Training Diploma programmes of the APS. The International Standards Certification of ISO-9001-2008 by SGS UK Ltd has been awarded to APS by the quality management system certification recently. APS is an accredited centre in Sri Lanka to conduct London Tests of English Certificate (LTE) Course by Edexcel London.

The first batch of trainees for Primary Teacher Training in English (PTTE) course was in December 2004 and since then APS had enrolled 21 batches up to March 2010, in PTTE, TELL, TTSS and PSDC courses. These teacher training courses are in the English medium, mainly targeting primary school teachers, which is the most vital segment in the education of the country. The study sessions are conducted during week ends to enable employed teachers, particularly those from outstations.

The Edexcel English courses are being conducted in 8 districts (Amuradhapura, Trincomalee, Kalutara, Hambantota, Ampara, Puttalam, Baddulla and Moneragala. The students are offered US sponsored scholarship to study English under this programme. It is significant to note that of the 902 learners who have been enrolled in our teacher training programmes, 383 of them have successfully graduated from APS up to March 2010. Others are continuing the training and new batches are being enrolled currently.

APS firmly believes that teacher training in English is a key to educational development in the country in the larger context of human resource development, and to satisfy the T & D of our expanding economy in transition. The Edexcel accredited English programme conducted by APS is highly relevant in this context. The Way forward for educational development in Sri Lanka is teacher training in English medium and Edexcel accredited study courses at APS are highly relevant in this context.