UK’s College of Contract Management to offer free IT diplomas for Sri Lankan students

Introducing free IT Foundation Diploma to bridge the skills gap in Sri Lanka, Initiative to provide career opportunities for school leavers, Course to be launched this November, Expecting 200 students for the first intake, A new CCM centre will open in Sri Lanka this November, The program is fully funded by the college

- By Sarna MALIK

IN a move to address the country’s IT skill gap, the College of Contract Management (CCM) has launched a new social responsibility initiative to offer free Britishqualified IT Foundation Diplomas to Sri Lankan students, aiming to improve employment opportunities. The official press briefing for the program, held at the Kingsbury Hotel recently.

CCM Colombo Office Associate Director Janith Sachintha said the CCM is a UK-based professional institution that offers online Diploma and Postgraduate programs. He explained that these qualifications, which range from Level 3 to Level 7, are recognised within the UK’s Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) as being equivalent to A-Levels/ BTEC and Master’s degrees. The programs are available to students across the world, including in the UK, Europe, and the Middle East.

Sachintha shared that the CCM, which was founded in 2011 and headquartered in Surrey, UK has enrolled more than 25,000 students since its inception. The institution now operates back offices in countries including Indonesia, India, and Sri Lanka, with its Colombo office active since 2013.

Speaking about the courses offered by the college, Sachintha noted that their programs are very niche and specialised. The college offers programs in Engineering, Construction, Management, English, Business, and IT.

He explained that these tailored professional diplomas are designed to help students, who want to enter the workforce with a British qualification, and working professionals, who already have bachelor’s or master’s degrees, to develop their skills to the highest level.

He detailed how the CCM’s online courses have been a critical solution for many students since the COVID-19 pandemic. Sachintha affirmed that the quality of these programs is not compromised, as many students find the interactions to be similar to face-to-face learning.