Australian High Commissioner opens industrial kitchen training facility at Ahangama VTA Hotel School

Australian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Paul Stephens unveils plaque to mark opening of industrial kitchen training facility at Ahangama VTA Hotel School in the presence of VTA Galle Deputy Director Jayawardena and District Secretary Shantha Weerasinghe 

In a significant effort to empower youth and boost the tourism sector in Sri Lanka, the Australian government-funded Skills for Inclusive Growth (S4IG) programme, delivered in collaboration with the Sri Lankan Education Ministry, has refurbished the culinary training facility in Ahangama with the Vocational Training Authority (VTA). 
The new facility will bring international-standard skill development curricula to this popular tourist destination, through professional cookery training courses developed by the Chef Guild Lanka, British Council and validated by the World Chef Association and Australian TAFE. On August 21, 2023, Australian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Paul Stephens opened the training facility with VTA Chairman Air Vice Marshal (Retired) Prasanna Ranasinghe.
“Australia’s support for tourism has been long running, supporting quality, relevant and inclusive skills development in Sri Lanka,” Stephens said. 

“Through the S4IG programme, we aim to improve the tourism value chain in Sri Lanka by implementing an integrated approach to skill development across the island. In turn, we hope this will support sustainable job creation and enhance income-earning opportunities for a wide range of Sri Lankans, including those with disabilities and women.”
Ahead of the official opening, internationally renowned Sri Lankan-Australian chef, restaurateur, television presenter and author Peter Kuruvita shared his expertise with a group of VTA trainers, delivering a ‘Masterclass’ on industry-standard culinary skills. The class exemplified the way S4IG is linking industry into government-led culinary skill systems in practical ways, with benefits for both students and the sector.