UBION, a Korean Edtech company along with Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), in partnership with Sri Lanka’s Tertiary and Vocational Education Commission (TVEC), recently hosted the Career Guidance Policy Workshop at the Monarch Imperial Hotel, on the 16^th of July 2024. The exclusive event hosted key stakeholders from the Ministry of Education, to discuss and review the recent implementation of the TVET Career Platform Project. This project aims to strengthen the capacity and expertise of CGOs in Sri Lanka to meet international best practices.

The exclusive event was graced by the presence of Ms. J. M. Thilaka Jayasundara, Secretary to the Ministry of Education, Ms. M. Samanthi Senanayake, Additional Secretary to the Ministry of Education, Ms. Dimuthu Chandrasiri, Director of Vocational Training, Ministry of Education, and a plethora of other esteemed representatives from KOICA, TVEC, DTET, NYSC, NAITA, VTA, UCR, OCUSL, DOMP, ILO, NIE and UBION.

Dr. K.L. Lalithadheera, Director General of the Tertiary & Vocational Education Commission (TVEC), opened the event with his welcome address. During his address, Dr. Lalithadheera highlighted the significant impact the project is expected to have, predicting transformative changes across the country. He stressed that if this project is successfully implemented, it could revolutionize career guidance practices and that better opportunities and skills development through this initiative could lead to improved career guidance services than existing ones.

Mr. Kim Yong Whan, Deputy Country Director of the KOICA Sri Lanka Office, updated the attendees on the project's current progress. During his address, he noted that several significant milestones had been reached already. He also mentioned that the project will undergo an evaluation process, starting in 2025.  After that, Mr. In Seak Yoo, the Project Manager at UBION, highlighted the extensive learning and progress that has been achieved over the past one and half years. He further emphasized that the workshop provides an opportunity for further discussion and alignment on all project initiatives with the policies set by the government.

These addresses were followed by insightful presentations conducted by Dr. J.A.D.J Jayalath, the Deputy Director General of the Tertiary & Vocational Education Commission, Dr. Cho Jeong Yoon, Chairman of International Institute of Employment and Development, and Professor Lee Young Min, from Sookmyung Women’s University. Dr. Jayalath delivered a comprehensive presentation on the Sri Lanka Career Guidance Policy and Strategy Action Plan. He highlighted the key components and objectives of the policy, outlining strategic initiatives that were designed to help enhance career guidance and vocation training and education around the country. Dr. Jayalath’s insights provided invaluable clarity and direction, as he emphasized the importance of career guidance in fostering a skilled and employable workforce. He also highlighted TVEC’s unwavering commitment to advancing education and vocational opportunities in Sri Lanka.

Following this, Dr. Cho Jeong Yoon addressed the attendees, providing insights into current policies of career counselling in Korea, and highlighting their impact and implementation. Additionally, Professor Lee Young Min, addressed and elaborated on the nuances of Korean employment policies, highlighting strategies and regulatory frameworks, aimed at enhancing workforce dynamics and career development.

Thereafter, Ms. M. Samanthi Senanayake pledged to provide the utmost support for the project. However, she did raise a few concerns regarding the duration of it and suggested streamlining the process so that results could be achieved sooner. She emphasized the need for collaboration between the Ministries of Labour, Education, and Vocational Training, and the creation of a unified platform, which is essential for an effective and sustainable strategy. The objective of this approach is to optimize resource utilization and ensure success within the stipulated timeframe.

The final segment of the event opened discussion with the audience, providing a valuable opportunity for them to engage directly with the speaker. The interactive session allowed several topics brought forward by the audience to be discussed.

KOICA, UBION, and TVEC are steadfast in their dedication to advancing educational and vocational skills in Sri Lanka. Through ongoing efforts and collaborative projects, these organizations strive to develop a highly skilled workforce capable of meeting the demands of the global job market.