Sunday Times 2
SLAP and NAITA join hands to strengthen skilled manpower for Sri Lanka’s printing industry
View(s):A step toward strengthening Sri Lanka’s printing industry workforce was taken recently with a collaborative discussion between the National Apprentice and Industrial Training Authority (NAITA) and the Sri Lanka Association of Printers (SLAP). The meeting focused on developing future-ready, industry-oriented training programmes to meet the evolving skill requirements of the printing sector.
The discussion was attended by NAITA Chairman Abdul Saththar, Director General W M S Wijesinghe, Director (Planning) C P Subasinghe, and Assistant Director (Marketing & Career Guidance) Priyanthe Fernando. Representing SLAP were its President Eng Janaka Rathnakumara, 1st Vice President Nishantha Perera, and E R Leonard, Manager of SLAP.
Both parties emphasised the urgent need to align vocational and technical training with real industry demands, particularly in the areas of modern printing technologies, production efficiency, quality control, and sustainable practices. The proposed collaboration aims to design structured apprenticeship pathways, short-term certification courses, and advanced technical programmes tailored to the printing industry.
SLAP President Janaka Rathnakumara highlighted the long-term vision of the association: “The printing industry is undergoing rapid technological transformation. To remain competitive locally and globally, we must invest in structured skills development. Our vision at SLAP is to build a competent, industry-ready workforce by working closely with national institutions like NAITA, ensuring training programmes are practical, relevant, and future-focused,” he stated.
NAITA officials reaffirmed their commitment to supporting industry-driven training models and career guidance initiatives that enhance employability while contributing to national economic development.
The collaboration is expected to open opportunities for young people to enter the printing sector through well-defined apprenticeship and vocational training pathways.
This initial meeting marks the beginning of a strategic partnership between SLAP and NAITA, with further discussions planned to formalise programmes and implementation frameworks. The initiative reflects a shared commitment to workforce development, technical education, and sustainable growth of Sri Lanka’s printing industry.