NVQ opportunities for Sri Lanka’s handicraft sector…
The presentation of certificates to the artisans who completed the “Batik Designer (NVQ – 3) Batik Industry Training Course” and the “One Year Certificate Course in Red Clay-related Arts and Crafts” conducted by the National Crafts Council under the Ministry of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development was held recently (27th) at the Battaramulla Construction Industry Development Authority (CETRAC) Auditorium.
In place of the current informal training methods in the batik industry, 32 artisans who successfully completed the “Batik Designer (NVQ – 3) Batik Industry Training Course” in accordance with the formal and standardized competency standards of the Tertiary and Vocational Education Commission and 9 artisans who completed the “One Year Certificate Course in Red Clay Art and Design” implemented at the Waragoda Ceramic Training Center through a formal syllabus in association with the University of Fine Arts were awarded certificates.
Providing national vocational qualifications to artisans in this way, confirming them as internationally recognized skilled artisans, is a very important opportunity for the entire handicraft sector in Sri Lanka.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Ayesha Wickramasinghe, Chairperson of the National Crafts Council, said that the professional qualification obtained in this way will be of great help to Sri Lankan handicraftsmen in entering the international market and becoming stable there. She also said that the value of this industry, which is a creative industry, cannot be measured in money and that the products of this industry can fetch a huge price by building brands.
The event was attended by Colombo District Member of Parliament, Attorney-at-Law Susantha Dodawatte, Additional Secretary to the Ministry of Industries and Entrepreneurship Development Subhadra Walpola, Senior Lecturer, University of Kelaniya Dr. G. Nilantha Roshan Perera, Senior Lecturer at the Department of Ceramics, Colombo University of Aesthetics Lalith Lansakara, Lecturer at the Department of Ceramics Dr. Ranjith Weerasinghe, Deputy Director of the National Crafts Council Ananda Jayasinghe, officials of the National Crafts Council, certified artisans and a group of others participated.
