First VTA Vocational Training Awareness Programme for Estate Communities

Date: 02 September 2020
Location: Mahawatta, Dabare Mawatha, Narahenpita
Programme: First awareness programme for VTA vocational training recruitment among estate communities

On 02 September 2020, I met with residents of the Mahawatta community at Dabare Mawatha, Narahenpita, to discuss some of the difficulties they were facing and the opportunities available for improving their future prospects.

This meeting was particularly important because it was the first programme in an initiative to create awareness among estate communities about VTA vocational training opportunities and encourage eligible individuals to consider enrolling in vocational training programmes.

During the meeting, I explained the importance of vocational education, particularly for young people who were looking for practical ways to build their future. We discussed how developing recognised vocational skills could create pathways towards employment, self-employment and greater independence.

The programme was also an opportunity to listen directly to the residents. Rather than simply speaking about training opportunities, I wanted to understand the problems they were facing and the kind of opportunities that could be useful to them.

The main purpose of this initiative was to take information about vocational training and recruitment opportunities directly to communities that might otherwise have limited access to such information. This first programme at Mahawatta therefore marked the beginning of an effort to connect estate communities with vocational training and opportunities for a better future.