MAS launches Educational Initiative :

Openings for IT grads in India

Shirajiv Sirimane

There is an annual demand for over 7,500 IT graduates in Indian companies and Sri Lanka is not in a position to meet this demand.

The main reason for this is that Sri Lanka only produces around 2,500 IT graduates. In a bid to bridge this gap MAS Holdings is launching MAS Institute of Management and Technology (MIMT), located at the MAS Fabric Park, Thulhiriya.

MIMT CEO, Chandan de Silva said they would offer customised programmes to address the skill shortages in the IT enabled, BPO, Textile and apparel industries.

“We want to develop well rounded candidates by focusing on core competencies and soft skill development,” he said.

He said that one of the main problems the Indian IT and the BPO sector is facing is the brain drain of IT professionals. They migrate to US and Europe for higher salaries. “Due to this, India is looking out for trained IT graduates and Sri Lanka can meet this requirement,” he said.

He said the ICTA is also looking at training more IT graduates.

The official opening of MIMT will be on January 31and it would be a public training institute with exceptional facilities and infrastructure, including a fully equipped auditorium seating 300 people, 17 training rooms including labs for English language, IT, Textile processing and Sewing machine mechanics and residential facilities for up to 250 people.

In addition to skilled training programs a range of English language; soft skill development and etiquette programmes will enhance the employability of people.

MIMT’s own job placement center will help students from MIMT find employment within the MAS Fabric Park and in other industries. “We estimate that over 5,000 students will gain employment within the zone as four international companies have already set up factories.

MIMT also offers corporate training programs targeting workers, supervisors and executives. These could be residential or day programs.

CEO, MAS investments, Dulindra Fernando said MAS would also launch the MAS Business School later in the year.

“This will be for senior executives and will be centred around Leadership Excellence and Innovation,” he said.

MAS Holdings, an innovation focused company is one of the region’s largest suppliers of Intimate and Activewear.

Operating in five countries with over 40,000 people, the company is a vertically integrated apparel solutions provider and the preferred sourcing partner for world-class brands such as Victoria’s Secret, Nike, adidas, Reebok, Speedo and M&S.