OCL Academy of Textile and Apparel strengthens industry-ready talent

• Offers TVEC-recognised certification programme

Ocean Lanka’s commitment to developing a future-ready workforce continues through the OCL Academy of Textile and Apparel, which recently marked the successful completion of its second training batch, with 33 employees graduating from the programme. 

The academy’s first batch, which started back in September 2023, concluded in December 2024, with 32 employees successfully completing the programme and receiving certificates after examinations. The second batch started in March 2025. The academy’s official registration with the Tertiary and Vocational Education Commission (TVEC) marked a significant achievement.  

The academy’s flagship programme, the Certificate in Textile and Apparel Manufacturing (PT-Skills Upgrading), is officially recognised by the TVEC registration. In December 2025, the second group completed the course with full TVEC recognition.  

Chief Officer Human Resources and Administration Indrani Narampanawa said, “Our long-standing dedication to structured education and skill development within the organisation is reflected in the OCL Academy of Textile and Apparel. We are strengthening the overall competitiveness of the Sri Lankan apparel industry while providing our employees with the knowledge and skills necessary to meet the changing industry needs by fusing recognised certification with hands-on, industry-aligned training.”     

OCL Academy of Textile and Apparel Head and Fabric Development and Innovation Director Chathumadura Liyanagama stated, “The academy was designed to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and real-world manufacturing challenges. With the TVEC recognition now in place, our curriculum delivers structured, industry-relevant learning across the entire textile value chain, ensuring participants are not only technically proficient but also innovation-ready for the future of apparel manufacturing.”  

The programme is thoughtfully designed to provide a well-balanced combination of academic instruction and hands-on training, guaranteeing that participants acquire both fundamental knowledge and practical exposure in line with the actual industry demands. 

Fiber science, yarn manufacturing systems, fabric structures, knitting, dyeing, finishing, printing, fabric inspection and testing, garment technology, textile innovation and emerging industry trends are all covered in the training modules that cover the entire textile and apparel value chain.