The agreement extending a period by five years was signed at INSEE Cement’s head office in Colombo.
About the partnership Mr. Nandana Ekanayake, Chief Executive Officer of INSEE Cement said, “We take pride in empowering our youth in the Puttalam area by giving them outstanding technical skills - a first step towards building independence and a sustainable livelihood.
This will enhance their educational levels, increase their employability and give them a stable career path.
The initiative will help to develop future technicians for the nation.
At INSEE Cement we strongly believe in enriching the community particularly in areas where we do business”.
The two years program provides theory lessons for those who opt to benefit from the training and coaching provided by trainers from NAITA.
The students; hailing from diverse backgrounds, receive English language and lessons in Information Technology along with relevant subjects including pneumatics, hydraulics, lathe/milling and Auto CAD, in addition to the National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) curriculum in their first year.
In the second year, full-time practical training is provided at EVE Centre located in the Puttalam Cement Plant.
The project was initiated in 2012 and has benefited over 165 students.
Dr. A. U. C. Athukorala, Chairman of NAITA while talking about the collaboration said, “We are pleased to contribute to this national endeavour to upgrade the skills of youth in the Puttalam area.
It is very creditable of INSEE Cement to engage in a program of this magnitude to develop and encourage the youth in the district that will generate value and long-lasting benefits to the community as well as the nation”.
The course is free of charge and the trainees receive a monthly allowance from INSEE Cement in addition to transport, meals and technical support.
With the current intake being the ninth, the program has been a great success, having produced multi-skilled maintenance technicians with exemplary computer skills.
The initiative has undoubtedly uplifted the living standards of the youth in Puttalam and has inspired them to develop to their full potential.
About the Company – INSEE Cement or Siam City Cement (Lanka) Limited
INSEE Cement or Siam City Cement (Lanka) Limited, is a member of the Siam City Cement Public Company Limited (SCCC), a leading cement manufacturer in Southeast Asia, founded in 1969 in Thailand.
The Company – INSEE Cement, manufactures INSEE branded - Sanstha, Mahaweli Marine, Mahaweli Marine Plus, INSEE Rapid Flow, INSEE Rapid Flow Plus and INSEE Extra cement.
INSEE Cement is the first certified ‘Green Cement’ in Sri Lanka with the Green Labeling certification awarded by the Green Building Council.
The company is the only fully integrated cement manufacturer in Sri Lanka.
The parent company, Siam City Cement Public Company Limited (SCCC) has adapted and progressed to serve the construction needs of the region; its cement manufacturing facility in Saraburi, Thailand, is the world’s largest cement production complex.
SCCC manufactures INSEE branded cement, Ready-Mix Concrete, construction aggregates and solutions to serve a widespread regional market that includes Cambodia, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Indonesia and Thailand, in addition to Sri Lanka.
The parent company, SCCC draws from the accumulated expertise and knowledge over decades of operation, and is strongly focused on investing in rapidly advancing regional markets such as Sri Lanka, which show much promise in sustainable construction.
Photo caption:
1.) Dr. A.U.C. Athukorala, Chairman of National Apprentice and Industrial Training Authority, shakes hands with Nandana Ekanayake, CEO of INSEE Cement (left) while exchanging the agreement.
2.) The students at the EVE Centre located in Puttalam Cement Plant.
