Korea supports Lanka's regional apparel training

19 Aug '14

2 min read

South Korea has extended its support to develop apparel training industry in the Northern Province of Sri Lanka. The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) has donated equipment worth US $20,000 -that includes 13 JUKI sewing machines, industrial grade cutting machine, etc. With KOICA’s support, for the first time ever, Sri Lanka’s vital apparel industry training efforts have now expanded to the regions.

A new branch of Sri Lanka Institute of Textile & Apparel (SLITA) is now open in Mannar. SLITA, under the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, caters to the apparel industry in training, testing, consultancy, and technical services, with a world-class testing lab which is internationally accredited and is certified with ISO 17025 and 9001 standards.

In 2013, SLITA recorded the highest income at US $ 1.05 million from training, testing and consultancy services. SLITA also boasts of about 185 training programs, with total trainee strength of about 3430. SLITA’s lecture panel of about 56 members, of which 18 are qualified at Master’s level, is another benchmark in the industry.

Minister of Industry and Commerce Rishad Bathiudeen said, “This is the first time that SLITA is expanding to the regions, under my ministry. Thanks to the commitment of President Mahindra Rajapaksa, the infrastructure of the Northern Province is developing rapidly. The introduction of apparel training is one way by which the Government is trying to generate new employment opportunities.”

About 20 trainers are currently undergoing one month’s training, after which they would start to train youngsters in Mannar. After six months of training, the trainees will be given sewing machines, so that production begins soon.

Fibre2fashion News Desk-India