Background to Career Fairs

The ICBP has partnered with the Ministry of Education and the IT-BPO industry to increase awareness of the IT-BPO industry as a career destination among regional schools. 7 IT-BPO career fairs have been already been held in Galle, Matara, Kandy, Kurunegala, Anuradhapura, Badulla, Jaffna and 2 more are planned to be held in Ratnapura and Hambantota.  

Project Background

The program exclusively focuses on the future workforce of the IT-BPO industry and thus is modeled for students grade 9 upwards including school leavers and university students. INFOTEL is one of the largest ICT exhibitions organized in Sri Lanka. The organizing committee has invited Career Fairs Team to conduct a 1 day career guidance program at the INFOTEL 2010 Student Day which will be held on October 4th 2010 at the BMICH Auditorium. We will be conducting student seminars and career counseling for more than 6000 students at this event.

Objective of the event

The aim of the career fair would be to provide participants from regional universities and schools with information on the ICT industry, specifically employment opportunities and the requisite skills, knowledge and attitudes required to enter those positions. The aim is to raise the profile of the ICT industry as a career destination and by providing information on requisite skill sets provide students with the means to better prepare themselves for an ICT career and ultimately raise the level of skills on entry in the industry.

Project Description

The three step process will ensure exposure to the industry and provide intensive personal guidance

    1. Interactive seminars will be conducted by competent presenters working in the IT/BPO industry who will impart their first hand experience based knowledge on the industry nuances.
   2. Stalls managed by dynamic young IT-BPO professionals will help the students gain insight into the industry and share their thoughts and views regarding career opportunities in their companies
   3. Trained career counselors will answer specific questions and quell any doubts one-on-one with potential future employees of this industry at the career counseling booths

2009 Regional Career Fairs are supposed to cover key community centers in Sri Lanka like Kandy, Badulla, Kurunegala, Anuradhapura, Hambantota etc. It had been decided that the first Regional Career Fair in 2009 will be held at Galle. Tentative timeline selected is around the 3rd week of February, 2009 and necessary planning is happening.