MAS Holdings inaugurated the MAS Institute of Management and Technology (MIMT), located in its Fabric Park in Thulhiriya, yesterday. MIMT will focus on the textile, apparel, IT and BPO sectors, providing basic courses which will pave the way for rural youth to be employable in these sectors. "MIMT will give rural youth the opportunity to overcome the barriers, which are knowledge- and skills-based, to gain employment in these sectors," Chandan de Silva, CEO, MIMT, said. MIMT will offer IT courses from diploma level to degree level in conjunction with Informatics Institute of Technology. Also, courses in English and social etiquette will bridge the gap between the rural youth and the private sector, where all the best jobs are. English will be the first hurdle rural youth will have to clear. MIMT has a basic skills course in English which will be held over a period of three months. The fee is Rs.3500 + VAT and can be paid in instalments. "MIMT hopes to be financially self-sustaining from the second year. Our course fees will be reasonable and affordable so as to enable rural youth to participate. Perhaps, the industry could provide scholarships in time to come," de Silva said. Dulindra Fernando, CEO, Mass Investments, said that MIMT was in touch with the Information and Communication Technology Agency of Sri Lanka (ICTA)discussing ways and means by which MIMT can help meet the demand for staff for the BPO and IT sectors. "MIMT will not only facilitate the apparel and textile industry in Sri Lanka, but also the BPO industry as well," he said. "MIMT will also function as an outsourced recruitment centre for the MAS Fabric Park in Thulhiriya, which will have 5,000 vacancies in three to four years time," Deepthi de Silva, Director, Group Human Resources, MAS Holdings said. MIMT will also provide corporate training programmes targeting workers, supervisors and executives which will include experiential learning. The MIMT facilities include an auditorium large enough for 300 persons, 17 training rooms with labs for English language, IT, Textile Processing and Sewing Machine mechanics. Up to 250 persons can be accommodated in the residential facilities provided by MIMT. MAS will launch the MAS Business School for senior executives later this year which will focus on leadership excellence and innovation. MIMT is BOI approved and has an obligation to educate 2,000 rural youth. "MIMT is not only empowering youth to be employable in jobs of today, but they can fill the vacancies emerging in the industries of tomorrow, like the BPO sector." Deepthi de Silva added. |
