People’s Leasing & Finance PLC (PLC) in collaboration with the Vocational Training Authority (VTA), empowered a group of deserving youth offering ‘Haritha Nena’ vocational scholarships. Entry criteria for the rural youth identified from the economically disadvantaged households was the NVQ Level-3 qualification.
The objective of this program was to empower the skilled workforce of the nation, increase their employability and attract prospective foreign revenues for the nation while contributing to the advancement of United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Two vocational education programs were completed at the Vocational Training Centres in Narahenpita (Colombo region) and Wegiriya (Kandy region). The “Haritha Nena” vocational scholarship program also aimed empowering a group of youths on hybrid automobile technology covering 100 course hours. All youth who successfully completed the program received the NVQ Level-4 certificate.
The last session of each program was held at both centres where the Head of Sustainable Finance, Sanjeewa Bandaranayake, Manager, Sustainable Finance Unit, Ms. Roshni Motha, Manager, Marketing and Communication, Hishan Welmilla, Branch Manager of PLC Kandy, Senaka Munasinghe, FD & Savings Officer Minthaka Deeyagahage and staff members of the Sustainable Finance Unit were present.
Both sessions were resourced by Assistant Manager, Credit Risk and Analytics of PLC G.P. Sirikumara, covering fundamentals on financial literacy, prudent management of cash flows of a newly set up SME business as well as interactive knowledge sharing on preparation of a sound business proposalto qualify for a credit facility from a reputed bank or a financial institution.
Thirty-five deserving youth benefitted through this corporate social responsibility initiative.