The Colombo Plan Staff College (CPSC) together with Labtech International Ltd. and Ministry of Education, Sri Lanka have recently conducted the Online In-Country Program for Sri Lanka on Training of Trainers on Renewable Energy Technology Using Virtual TVET held from November 20 to 23, 2033 through Zoom platform. Participants include Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) practitioners, instructors, and department heads from TVET institutions across Sri Lanka.
This program was particularly designed to provide an intensive understanding on renewable and green technology components through featured 3D models using gaming technology from Labtech. The four-day online training covered the following topics: Overview of a Digital TVET Framework and What is Virtual TVET; Understanding How to Adapt and Adopt Blended Learning using Virtual TVET; How to use a TVET LMS to Deliver Competency-Based Training; TVET LMS Reporting and Analytics; Understand the Technical Operation and Troubleshooting of new modern training system; and How to Incorporate Lesson Plan using Virtual TVET.
The program supervisors were Prof. G.L.D. Wickramasinghe, CPSC Director General; Dr. Steven McKee, Labtech International Ltd. President; and Ms. Muditha Malkanthi, Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Education - Skills Development, Vocational Education, Research and Innovation in Sri Lanka. In addition, the lectures and workshops were facilitated by Mr. Brad Ker, the General Manager of Labtech Academy, including Mr. Ian Andrew, Labtech International Ltd. Consultant and TVET Specialist, who served as a guest lecturer during the training program.
The program was inaugurated on November 23, 2023 and was attended virtually by the program management and the Chief Guest, H.E. Dr. Chanaka Talpahewa, Ambassador of Sri Lanka in the Philippines. Prof. Wickramasinghe in his opening remarks recognized the presence of the respected guests and participants, and highlighted the importance of keeping teaching and learning in the TVET sector adaptive to the fast-changing technological advancements. Meanwhile, Ms. Mulkitha highlighted the significance of education in Sri Lanka, including the situation of TVET in their country amid the ever-changing system in the 21st century. Likewise, on behalf of Dr. Steven McKee, Labtech International Ltd. Regional Marketing Manager Mr. Shafiek Sultan acknowledged the training program for Sri Lanka and underscored TVET in this transformative and technological industry. Lastly, Ambassador Dr. Talpahewa extended his gratitude to the organizers of programas he addressed the current opportunities and challenges in the TVET industry.
Through the lectures and workshops, the four-day training has allowed the participants to understand the digital TVET framework, navigate the approaches of blended (hybrid) learning, and devise lesson plans using virtual TVET. Mr. Andrew also introduced in his lecture the topic titled Using Videos to Deliver 21st Century Training to the participants. This was done in hopes of having a full grasp on how TVET can adapt and be taught in the 21st century.
During the closing ceremony, selected participants have expressed their appreciation to the training program that provided them insights on the significance of virtual TVET and learnings about renewable energy technology. Ms. Malkanthi also thanked the participants for joining the training organized by CPSC and Labtech while Mr. Brad Ker gave the Summary of the Program. Likewise, CPSC Senior Faculty Specialist Engr. Dr. Mian Khuram Ahsan and Mr. Brad Ker gave their closing remarks to conclude the fruitful learning experience from the training program with CPSC and Labtech.
