The ECONOMY is changing rapidly due to globalization. The mismatch between the industries that come up and the skilled workers is a common issue. The Sri Lankan government has taken comprehensive measures to create a workforce to suit the situation.

The Department of Technical Education & Training (DTET) has taken several steps to strengthen technical education in the country. The first institution for formal technical education in Sri Lanka was established in 1893.

At present there are 29 Technical Colleges (TCs) and 9 Colleges of Technologies (CoTs) scattered throughout Sri Lanka. These institutions are managed by the Department of Technical Education and Training, which functions under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Skills Development. The DTET offers a comprehensive Vocational, Skills Development and Technical Education to youth. It has promoted a Technical College (TC) in each province to a college of Technology (CoT) which carries out the Diploma Courses. CoTs diploma courses are applied to National Vocation Qualification (NVQ) levels 5 and 6 and aim at fostering technicians which are in high demand in local and foreign industries. At present mid career training will be provided through the colleges of Technology in each province. The Technical Colleges will be restructured and improved to provide scope for students to enhance their careers.

Functions

• Identifying, preparing, directing to implement, supervising and coordinating the Technical Education and Training Programmes.
• Managing and Developing the Human Resources for implementation of Technical Education and Training fruitfully and efficiently.
• Implementation of research activities relevant to Technical and Technological Education field. Make publicity for the usage of Information Technology and make opportunities for innovations.
• Implementation of courses, according to the approved National Vocational Qualification framework in the Technical Education and Vocational Training system.
• Preparing and coordinating the co-operate scheme with the amalgamation of private and public sector for career guidance and entrepreneurship development.

Achievements

• Converted the 9 Technical College of Maradana, Galle, Anuradhapura, Kandy, Badulla, Ampara, Kurunagala, Ratnapura and Jaffna as Colleges of Technology; and National Vocational Qualification ( NVQ system ) is re-established, subject to new Technical Education Principles. Commenced and conduct the courses in National Vocational Qualification level 3 - 4 and 5 - 6.
• Established the District committees for implementation of programmes in each District level with the coordination of all institutions which implement career guidance programmes.
  Implementation of 3 entrepreneurship development programmes in Colombo, Gampaha and Kaluthara districts and expect to conduct further 24 programmes.
• Provide the required knowledge, in Japan, to the Instructors relevant to hold the 3 new NVQ level 5 - 6 Courses of Mechatronics, Metal Work and ICT at the Technical College Maradana, under the Japan International Cooperation Agency project ( JICA ) and provide Laboratory facilities and Computer knowledge. These courses are being successfully implemented at present.
• Eleven courses, relevant to National Vocational Qualification ( NVQ ) level 5 and 6, are being implemented at the College of Technology Anuradhapura, Kurunegala, Badulla, Maradana, Kandy and Ratnapura by the Technical Education Development Project (TEDP). NVQ level 5 courses were successfully completed by the students of College of Technology, Galle and Maradana. Also 23 Instructors of Technical Colleges were directed to Degree courses at the University of Technology and they followed and completed such course successfully. In addition to this the ISO 9001 - 2008 quality system for Colleges of Technology is being implemented in the Institution.
• All measures have been taken to execute construction activities required, to convert Technical College Jaffna to College of Technology under the KOICA, provide instruments and commence the 2 National Vocational Qualification ( NVQ ) 5 & 6 Diploma level courses, (Electronics Technology, Automobile Technology) before end of the year.
  Programmes and Target
  for the year 2011
• Establish a Technical Education system which preceded the Technology Development.
• Maintain connection with foreign Vocational & Technical Training Institutions through international connection, and obtain direct contribution to Development of Human Resources .
• 4Issuing of results without delay (E - result) through the engraft of Testing and evaluation procedure with modern Technology.
  4Introducing new courses regarding Water Management Education, Regenerate power, Energy Conservation and management, Environmental Management to reach the sustainable economic Development.
• It is expected to conduct 4 regional workshops in Sri Lanka related to improve ability, Green and Clean Technology, Regenerate Energy, Energy Conservation & Management.
• It has proposed to conduct 75 awareness programmes relevant to the courses of Technical Colleges and 75 preliminary awareness programmes of Computer Science, as parallel to the 5th "Deyata Kirula" exhibition, to be held in Monaragala in January 2011 and scover the all Divisional Secretariat Divisions of such District. 40000 participants will be expected for each programme.