Project News

The introduction of the concept of ‘Model Course Visit’ has gained high interest among stakeholders of the Project.  They include the Ministry of Industrial Development, Foundry Development and Services Institute (FDSI), and few to name.  Under the direction of the Mr. R.V.D. Piyatilake, Secretary Ministry of Industrial Development, the Ministry is closely working with the project. The purpose of the visit is to get firsthand information on the model courses in order to introduce those to relevant industrialist through Industry Cluster Advisory Committees of the Ministry

Under the Model Course Visit, a five member delegate from the Ministry of Industrial Development visited JSCoT project on May 28, 2009.  The five member delegate consisted of an Additional Secretary, two Sector Directors, an Industrial Inspector and an Industrial Development Assistant.  

Ministry delegates stayed around 3 hours in 3 model courses.  Course coordinators and Instructors explained about the facility and the resources they were enjoying together with the quality of this training and available benefits for industrialists.  MID delegates also clarified their certain concerns and as a whole they were convinced about the model courses and its national importance for the industrial development of the country.  

As a result of a cordial dialogue facilitated by JSCoT Consultant Industrial Relations, following aspects were agreed: to bring more industrialists to get firsthand experience; to ensure building strategic links with the industry in order to ensure job placements; to study the possibility to set up a joint plan for industry capacity building using the model courses; and MID to send letters with all details to the relevant industrialists in order to aware them on this facility and services.

Another Delegate representing Five Council Members of FDSI made their Model Course Visit to the Metal Work on June 02, 2009.  The delegate included Industrialists and FDSI Consultants.

After a successful two hour orientation and a cordial dialogue and based on the feedback obtained from these delegates on a structured format, it was revealed that they were highly satisfied with the opportunity given through this visit.  Short courses or training for staff and on the job training of their staff at their companies with the instructors were identified as high potential opportunities created through this interaction.  Further, some delegate members revealed that there were partnership building possibilities to provide in-plant training for students and tor contribute technically for the course improvements. At the same time the delegates identified some areas of the Model Course which required further improvements.

Photo left: Delegation from Ministry of Industrial Development visiting JSCoT Mechatronics Section.
Photo right: Delegation members from Foundry Development and Services Institute (FDSI) filling the questionnaire after visit the JSCoT Metal work section.

Report: Samantha Pathiratne-JSCoT Consultant (Industrial Relations)
Photo: Hiroshi SAITO-Acting Chief Advisor