SLITA awards diplomas to 596 graduates to boost apparel sector talent

Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Ministry Secretary Thilaka Jayasundara addressing the gathering - Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

The Sri Lanka Institute of Textile & Apparel (SLITA) awarded diplomas to 596 graduates at its fifth Diploma Award Ceremony, reinforcing efforts to strengthen the talent pipeline for the country’s textile and apparel industry, one of Sri Lanka’s largest export sectors.

The graduates received qualifications across a range of textile, apparel, fashion and manufacturing disciplines, including fashion design, merchandising management, clothing technology, textile technology, industrial engineering and apparel product development.

SLITA, a semi-government institution specialising in textile and apparel education and training, said the graduates had been equipped with industry-relevant technical knowledge and practical skills to support the sector’s growth, innovation and global competitiveness.

The largest graduating groups were from the Diploma in Textile and Apparel Technology programme, which produced 202 graduates, and the Diploma in Merchandising Management, which produced 88 graduates. The institute also awarded qualifications to graduates from advanced diploma programmes in apparel product development technology and management, fashion design and product development, industrial engineering, and textile colouration and finishing technology.

SLITA currently offers a broad portfolio of education and training programmes, including degree programmes, higher national diplomas, national diplomas, diplomas, certificate courses and short courses, aimed at meeting the evolving workforce requirements of the textile, apparel and allied industries.