20 December 2022 10:25 am Views - 1725
A comprehensive program has been launched to make the IT sector a major foreign exchange earning industry in the country, Technology State Minister Kanaka Herath said.
While participating in an inspection visit to Avissawella Batangala Youth Training Centre, he said it has been possible to earn US$1,500 million in foreign exchange through the IT industry in 2021.
Approximately 20,000 IT job openings exist in the public and private sectors. It is the responsibility of the Ministry to mobilize the energetic youth for this industry to meet its needs.
"IT will be introduced as an Advanced Level (A/L) subject in the arts stream with the assistance of UNICEF. 700 teachers are given training in IT. Throughout tertiary education, NVQ syllabi are revised in response to job market demands. The development of an overall digital education policy has begun. About 50,000 people work directly in the field of information technology. They have also made significant contributions to the country's ability to earn foreign currency," the Minister said.
He added that 34,000 youth will be directed to the IT field in 2023 through the implementation of training camps at the district level. (Chaturanga Pradeep Samarawickrama)