The initiative is a part of Facebook’s flagship We Think Digital program, and has been designed with the objective to help the vocational sector understand the digital landscape better and equip students with skills to build successful careers.
Through the “Train the Trainer” program, close to 1,300 VTA trainers will receive training and in turn, they will teach students on topics such as changes in digital landscape, e-learning, online content creation, digital tools for businesses, and responsible digital citizenship.
VTA trains 40,000 students annually; this platform will help impart critical knowledge to them as they prepare for the digital age.
Hon. Mahinda Rajapaksa, the Prime Minister of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, sent a congratulatory message on the occasion of the launch of the program.
Addressing the youth, he said, “This new chapter that you are about to begin will help you emerge victorious tomorrow.
The advisory board of the Vocational Training Authority of Sri Lanka is committed towards moulding you into individuals with technical knowledge well-suited to the modern world.
Through this initiative of Facebook, you are presented with the opportunity to use technology and become the new entrepreneurs of tomorrow, irrespective of where you live or work.
You can earn a high income, generate foreign exchange, and thereby strengthen the country's economy as patriotic Sri Lankans.”
The Vocational Training Authority was founded by the Hon. Mahinda Rajapaksa in 1996 when he was the Minister of Labour and Vocational Training.
He congratulated VTA and Facebook on the partnership and extended his best wishes.
Prof. G. L. Peiris, the Hon. Minister of Education, also sent a message thanking Facebook for supporting this national cause.
He further said that developing digital skills is one of the highest priorities of the current government.
Dr. Seetha Arambepola, State Minister of Skills Development, Vocational Education, Research and Innovation shared her appreciation for the initiative.
The program was launched through a virtual event, which was attended by several distinguished participants.
Damitha Wickramasinghe, Chairman of VTA explained,
“The Vocational Training Authority of Sri Lanka strives to make vocational training more accessible to the country’s youth.
To achieve this aim, we need to find effective ways to attract participants.
We believe our partnership with Facebook will empower students to transform their outlook with the right tools and knowledge that they can leverage on digital platforms.
Youth are the nation’s future and VTA is keen to explore new pathways to create opportunities for a brighter future.”
Findings from a recent Facebook and Deloitte study titled “Deloitte Digital Tools in Crisis and Recovery Report” revealed that 70% consumers who switched to new small businesses reported that social media helped them to discover these new small businesses, indicating the valuable role that social media can play in highlighting products and services with minimum cost.
It also shows that 66% of consumers have done more communication with businesses via social media or digital tools since COVID-19 and reported that they found Facebook important for communicating with businesses.
Explaining further, Yasas Vishuddhi Abeywickrama, Policy Programs Manager for Sri Lanka at Facebook said,
“Digital skills are crucial for all our citizens as the use of digital platforms is broadening in our country.
Aligned with the government’s priority for a digital Sri Lanka, Facebook has committed to empowering Sri Lankans with the necessary digital literacy skills in partnership with VTA.
More and more people are joining the digital workforce, whether to learn, teach or establish a business - and we want to equip them with the necessary skills to succeed.”
This launch is a continuation of Facebook’s commitment to upskill Sri Lankans in both digital literacy and digital citizenship.
Last year, Facebook launched We Think Digital, a nationwide digital literacy program that aims to develop skills that enable Sri Lankans to create a positive and safe culture online.
Businesscafe Image - Left to Right Damitha Wickramasinghe, Chairman of VTA sharing Hon. Mahinda Rajapaksa’s congratulatory message on the occasion of the launch / Prof. K. Kapila C. K. Perera, Secretary of Ministry of Education sharing a few words at the launch of digital skills training program by VTA in partnership with Facebook