24 Oct, 2013
“To take a step forward you gave the hand rail…….; The Final Step became the first step of our career”, were lines from a poem penned by W M A Hemamali, a 3rd year student from the Faculty of Management & Commerce, after participating in the John Keells soft skills workshops – branded “The Final Step” – conducted from 22nd to 24th October 2013 at the South Eastern University of Sri Lanka located in the coastal town of Oluvil in the Ampara District.
This was the ninth edition of The Final Step to be rolled out by John Keells Foundation in a State University in collaboration with the Career Guidance Unit of the University, and the third such programme conducted at the invitation of the University Grants Commission (UGC). Previous beneficiaries include the Universities of Kelaniya, Moratuwa, Sri Jayewardenepura, Peradeniya and Jaffna. The workshops are aimed at enhancing the “marketability” of local graduates by providing them a realistic perspective of employment opportunities in Sri Lanka and grooming them for the demands of the private sector, as the country’s primary employer. The workshops cover a wide range of topics including `Employer Expectations’, `Team Building and Leadership Skills’, `Adapting to the Corporate Environment’, `Personality Development and Confidence Building’, `Personal Grooming’ and `Corporate Hospitality’.
“We were encouraged by the UGC to conduct such soft skills programmes for the undergraduates of our university,” said Mrs. Salfiya Ummah, Director, Career Guidance Unit, SEUSL. “Therefore, we are proud to have a premier conglomerate such as John Keells Holdings assisting us in this endeavour. I am positive that this programme will make a notable impact on the future of these young graduates.”
Speaking on the opening day, Ms. Carmeline Jayasuriya, Head of Operations, John Keells Foundation, said, “University undergraduates represent the knowledge, talent and potential that will take Sri Lanka forward in this era of peace and progress. As a leading private sector organization in Sri Lanka, John Keells is deeply committed to preparing and equipping our future workforce, especially University undergraduates such as yourselves, for the demands of the world of work.”
“Soft Skills are recognized as essential skills for the workplace, not only by the private sector but also by the public sector, said Mr. M. A. M Sameem, Director, Student Support Services & Welfare, addressing the audience on behalf of the Vice Chancellor, Dr. S. M. Mohamed Ismail. “It is not only the academic qualifications that will ensure you [the undergraduates] a good job, but also the appropriate skills and attitude that will take you greater heights in your career”.
Each day’s workshop attracted a capacity audience of over 330 undergraduates from various faculties. Afterwards, they thanked the presenters and the organizing committee for giving them such an opportunity. “These workshops encouraged me to improve my knowledge of English. I am determined to master the language as well improve my communication skills. The start of my confidence development came with addressing the audience at the workshop,” enthused Ganesha Ranasinghe, a Final Year B.Sc. undergraduate in Management and Information Technology.
The workshops on `Employer Expectations’ and `Team Building and Leadership Skills’ were conducted in the form of panel discussions involving senior management personnel representing diverse backgrounds and a variety of experience in the private sector. The panel comprised of Mr. Faizal Salieh (Managing Director & CEO, Amana Bank), Mr. Suresh Muttiah (Head of HR – Retail Sector, John Keells Group) , Ms Sharmini Ratwatte (Director, MAS Investments (Pvt) Ltd), Mr. Ashan Jenabdeen (Senior Business Analyst, Virtusa Pvt Ltd) and Mr. Anthony Jayaranjan (Independent Director, Lankem Ceylon PLC) who acted as Chair/ Moderator of the Panel.
Responding to repeated questions by students of the Faculty of Arts and Culture on their career prospects in the private sector, the panelists underlined that every graduate, regardless of the course of study opted by them, is equipped with the necessary analytical and problem solving skills which are valued in the corporate world. It is each person’s attitude, “can do” approach and willingness to learn which will help them succeed in their career.
“The panel discussions gave me a lot of perspective,” said M. N. Mohammed Bilal, a Final year HR student of the Faculty of Management & Commerce. These workshops showed me the importance of being proactive instead of being passive with the knowledge I have gained. I will be constantly assessing myself and re-evaluating my life and career. I hope that my fellow students will also evaluate themselves and their career choices with the knowledge and points discussed today.”
The interactive workshops were conducted by trainers, Ms. Manique Mendis and Ms. Dammi Peiris of Rainbow Resources Lanka (Pvt) Ltd. The workshops guided the participants on how to draft an effective CV, successfully face an interview, win the job and adapt to the work environment. The mock interviews conducted by the trainer and John Keells HR volunteer drew an enthusiastic response from the students. Many, who had never faced an interview, volunteered to come forward for the mock interview in view of hundreds of their peers and answer questions such as “name one of your weaknesses” with a fair degree of confidence. The students also received useful tips on developing their personality and confidence as well as improving their personal image, grooming and social etiquette.
John Keells Foundation intends to take The Final Step programme to other universities of the country with the support of the UGC, the respective universities and leading business personalities who wish to share their knowledge and expertise in building human capital in the country.