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by Sarath Malalasekera

Minister Kabir Hashim inspects the sophisticated motorcycle repair equipment at the Stafford Motorcycle Training Centre along with SMC Managing Director Nimal Weerarathna and NAITA Chairman Ajith Colonne. (Picture by Dudley Wickremasinghe)

Stafford Motor Company will join hands with the National Apprentice and Industrial Training Authority (NAITA) to conduct a motorcycle mechanic training course to provide job opportunities for Sri Lankan youth in the motorcycle maintenance and repair sector.

NAITA is a leading training provider under the purview of the Ministry of Tertiary Education and Training.

Tertiary Education and Training Minister Kabir Hashim who opened the Training Centre in Colombo 10 said that Stafford Motors had set up the training centre in order to provide the maximum job opportunities to the youth in the country.

Youth who pass the final test in practicals and theory will be awarded a joint certificate in addition to the 'Certificate of Competency' issued by the National Apprentice and Industrial Training Authority, which is well recognised locally and internationally.

This certificate is as good as holding an International passport, Minister Hashim said. Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has launched a program to give job opportunities to 10,000 youth during the coming year. The Stafford Motors training will provide job skills to youth, the Minister said.

Public sector cooperation is vital for the Government to provide job opportunities to unemployed youth. Stafford Motors training with the sophisticated equipment will reduce the unemployment burden in the country soon, the Minister said. Stafford Motor Company Managing Director Nimal Weerarathna said that the motorcycle has become the cheapest mode of transport in the country and it is estimated that over eight lakhs of motorcycles have been imported under the reconditioned motorcycles' category.

However, it seems that there is a shortage of well trained motorcycle mechanics in the country to attend to the maintenance and repairs of this large fleet of motorcycles. In order to fulfil this requirement NAITA has joined hands with Stafford Motor Company, a leading company importing motorcycles of the "Honda" brand to Sri Lanka, SMC Managing Director said.

He said that through this joint venture Stafford Motor Company Limited will provide the theoretical component in their training centre which is equipped with the latest facilities.

Kumudani Abeysiriwardena, Chairperson Stafford Motor Company, Dr. Wickrema Weerasooria, Advisor Ministry of Tertiary Education and Training, S. S. Ediriweera, Secretary Ministry of Tertiary Education and Training, Ajith Colonne, Chairman NAITA, P. Thayaparan, Vice Chairman NAITA, W. Ellawala and P. M. Leelarathna, Additional Secretaries of the Ministry participated.

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