Reaching Excellence in Vocational Training

SOS Monaragala Vocational Training Centre wins two prestigious awards at the ‘World Youth Skills Day 2019.

SOS Monaragala Vocational Training Centre, a part of SOS Children’s Villages Sri Lanka, is a non-governmental public service organization engaged in delivering vocational training programs to youth who are unable to follow a career path primarily due to poverty. The enrollees are chiefly youth from poor families in Sri Lanka and youngsters from SOS Children’s Villages who opt for vocational careers. Since its inception in 2007, this vocational training center has produced nearly 1500 students through six of its courses provided that are NVQ Level 3 certified. The courses provided are in the field of welding, automobile mechanics, wood craftsmanship, electrical engineering, information technology and pastry arts. These courses are provided completely free of charge.

SOS Monaragala Vocational Training Centre won two prestigious awards at the ‘World Youth Skills Day 2019’ organized by the Ministry of Skills Development and Vocational Training. The awards secured included ‘Best Island-wide Private Sector Training Provider’ and ‘Best Private Sector Training Provider for Uva Province’. This award ceremony was held at BMICH on the 17th of July under the patronage of his Excellency the President Maithripala Sirisena as chief guest, Hon. Minister Buddhika Pathirana, Deputy Minister Hon. Karunarathna Paranavithana and the Secretary of the ministry Mr. K.D.N. Ranjith Asoka and additional Secretary Mrs. Anuradha Ileaperuma.

The trainees at SOS Monaragala Vocational Training Centre are provided many benefits during the training period such as meals, accommodation (for students from distant locations), clothing, uniforms (needed for training), insurance (during training period), and even a transportation allowance is provided to students by this vocational training centre. The National Director of SOS Children’s Villages Mr. Divakar Rathnadurai had this to say about the achievement of SOS Monaragala Vocational Training Centre: 

“I feel proud and happy about our SOS Vocational Training Centre in Monaragala for securing two awards at the ‘World Youth Skills Day’ held at BMICH July this year. These achievements indicate the quality service we provide to upgrade skills of young people to find employment. The two Awards are a sign of appreciation for the work SOS Children’s Villages has done for children and youth in our country. This salutation is a motivation for me and my team to continue our services with dedication.” 

Contributing to society is part and parcel of SOS Children’s Villages, whether it be through its villages, community development projects or vocational training centres; this organization is determined to transform the lives of poor Sri Lankans for the better.