Career One to connect Sri Lankan employees with industry sector

Distinguished guests and invitees at the podium during the Career One Industry Engagement Conference held on April 1 at Sangam Ballroom at ITC Ratnadipa Hotel Colombo. From left are Nalaka Kaluwewa (Secretary of the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education), Nalin Hewage (Hon. Deputy Minister –Vocational Education-Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, Miyon Lee - the Ambassador of the Republic of Korea, Thilaka Jayasundara-Secretary of Ministry of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development and K.A.Lalithadheera (Director General of TVEC) (Pix by Kithsiri De Mel)

This project was launched on February 13, thanks to the patronage of South Korea

This platform enables employers to post job vacancies to candidates creating a significant recruitment experience and recruit TVET trainees and graduates

By Manjula D. Phillips  

Introducing the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) students’ career platform to basically Sri Lankan industry Users, Career One Industry Engagement Conference was held on April 1 in Sangam Ballroom at ITC Ratnadipa Hotel Colombo.

Career One is TVET’s career guidance platform (Web Site-Careerone.gov.lk) which is free and innovative and has especially been designed for TVET students to connect industries and business organisations along with Career Guidance Officers, (those who navigate career choices and guide students for the right kind of job opportunities) throughout the country. 

This platform enables employers to post job vacancies to candidates creating a significant recruitment experience and recruit TVET trainees and graduates. It assists TVET students (who seek guidance and internship) and TVET graduates to look for the best career opportunities by providing essential tools, resources and expert advices and to reach professional success.

The Conference was held with the participation of representatives of reputed business organisations, Human Resources Managers, Recruitment Officers in Sri Lanka and with Korean representatives including Miyon Lee (Her Excellency) - the Ambassador of the Republic of Korea. This project was launched on February 13, thanks to the patronage of South Korea, and was officially introduced to Sri Lankan company users last Tuesday.

Among the main objectives of the event discussed were, introducing the Career One platform and its features such as benefits and functions to employers, discussion of the platform’s role in connecting TVET graduates with business organizations in ICT, Construction, Manufacturing and Tourism sectors and a discussion as to how organisations utilising Career One can support corporate social responsibility goals by contributing to the growth of Sri Lanka’s workforce.

“We highly appreciate as a government, the Korean Government’s support, especially the Ambassador of Korea and the Korean international corporation. When we are going to develop our country we can place a great trust in human resource and it is a great potential for a country. Sri Lanka is a nation rich in human potential. Our utmost duty is to train our children to the emerging job opportunities” said Deputy Minister –Vocational Education Nalin Hewage.  The keynote speech was on the topic of “significance of a national career platform for industries” delivered by Thilaka Jayasundara-Secretary of Ministry of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development. 

“It is an immense pleasure for me to be a part of this programme. This topic is a very interesting one. The Career One platform has been designed and developed and is now ready for use. It is a wonderful opportunity for career guidance officials and all the industries and all the public in Sri Lanka. It creates a strong connection and relationship between employer and employee. The Career One platform, the website, aims to strengthen the connection between the industry and vocational training and the industries which are concerning the vocational guidance in Sri Lanka.

Knowing the needs of the industry 

“There are key service partners in this platform and they are career guidance officers, training centres sector, the industrial companies and the employers, the Federation of employers. It is expected to register companies in Career One platform as well as employees who are keen to start their careers. Today many companies find it difficult to find right kind of employees with the required skills. This employees’ development needs for industry awareness. The companies must be involved innovative in providing products and services. To achieve this the employees need to understand the industry they are working in and the latest trends and the common challenges faced by their customers. They must use the latest technology. It is also important to develop the soft skills of the employees.  In this rapidly changing world, the employees must enhance their skills and attitude. The industries must develop the skills of workers. I believe that the Career One platform will be playing a vital role here. I take the opportunity to thank the Korean Government and Ministry of Education for the support to Sri Lanka in providing Career One platform to us,” Jayasundara said.

Afterwards a panel discussion was held with the Industry sector experts about the role and expectations of the Career platform. Among the discussed topics were the action plans and policies by the Ministry of Education to provide quality jobs for the employees at the conclusion of trainings, how the online career platform could engage in optimising the effectiveness of career guidance, so that the majority can benefit, establishing a tracking system after the training to monitor the employees as to know what they do, how to  implement effective strategies to encourage companies to use on the job training using the career platform.  

It was moderated by Ajith Bopitiya and the panel consisted of Samanthi Senanayake-Additional Secretary -Vocational Training (Ministry of Education, Higher Education &Vocational  Education),Erandika Dissanayake –National Project Coordinator, Thilaka Jayasundara -   Secretary of Ministry of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development, Dr Janaka Jayalath-Senior Lecturer(University of Vocational Technology), Samantha Alwis-Chief Executive Officer(Kevilton Electrical Products( Pvt) Ltd, Mr. Prabath Abeysinghe-General Manager-Yard Development (Colombo Dockyard PLC).