Since its inception in 1999, the Network on Disability of the Employers’ Federation of Ceylon (EFC) has taken strides, notably in the fields of ICT training, language and skills training and economic empowerment. The ICT Training Centre of the EFC which was launched in 2009 with the support of the International Labour Organization (ILO) is the nucleus of the Network on Disability. Embracing the vision of ‘productive employment through social harmony’, its objective is to develop the employability skills of persons with diverse disabilities in the country.
Under the guidance of Ms. Manique Gunaratne, it has benefited more than200 persons with diverse disabilities to date including school leavers, job seekers, undergraduates and those employed from all corners of the Island.
The Training Centre fully equipped with devices specially designed for persons with disabilities and other software, also collaborates with Curtin University of Technology in Australia and SLIIT (Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology) Malabe. The programs are also recognized by the Tertiary and Vocational Education Commission (TVEC) and within the EFC membership which consists of 700 companies.
The ICT Training Centre receiving the CISCO Academy status in 2014 is the latest feather in its cap. This is a milestone of the ICT Training Centre as it is the only training centre in the country which trains people with diverse disabilities in CISCO courses. CISCO is a globally recognized IT qualification.
The Employers’ Federation of Ceylon ICT Training Centre with the support of the #InternationalLabourOrganisationSri LankaOffice started a course of study in Windows Operations for 15 persons with diverse disabilities (vision impaired, partially sighted, hearing impaired, physical disabilities and slow learners) in March 2019. Up to date 90 persons with disabilities have registered to follow this course of study in Windows Operations.
Picture descriptions for vision impaired persons:
1 Trainee learning online.
2 Group of persons with disabilities learning.
3 Group photograph.
4 Hearing impaired persons learning through sign language.
Manique Gunaratne
Skype – manique.g
