EFC launches Employers National Network of Youth Initiatives

University graduates are now presented with the opportunity of having a taste of the ever evolving work environment prior to sinking in with the Employers’ Federation of Ceylon (EFC) having launched yesterday the Employers National Network of Youth Initiatives (ENNYI).

Through the ENNYI, a project implemented in collaboration with the International Labour Organisation (ILO), a common platform is extended for undergraduates as well as newly graduated students to link up with employers with the objective exposing them to the realities in world of work.

In the case of undergraduates the project will be linking up with state universities and other training institutes to provide internships opportunities. Meanwhile, new graduates will have the opportunity to apply for ‘apprenticeships and training’ that could lead to job placements. According to EFC, the decision to push ENNIY was to initiate branded internship, training models, and to add the much need jobs for the youth population.

“The objective is to follow the lead to connect these efforts by forging sustainable partnerships between the demand and supply side, whilst not forgetting the policy makers,” said EFC Director General and CEO Kanishka Weerasinghe at the launch.

The project is to serve as a window for undergraduates into the real world of work through internships offered by the EFC’s member companies, which include leading corporates as well as multinational entities in the country. The ENNIY is said to prioritise projects in the region, while taking into account the efforts taken by the government to extend new opportunities to the economically disadvantaged. “I hope these opportunities will be taken up by the students of national universities who sometimes do not know the value of employment opportunities in the private sector,” said Weerasinghe, pointing out the need for change in the system.