Hosts 3rd Pintharoo Abhiman Convocation in Continued Drive to Empower Wood Craftsmen

JAT Holdings PLC, the market leader for wood coatings and brushes in Sri Lanka, recently celebrated a significant milestone with the successful conclusion of the 3rd Convocation under its well-established and highly successful JAT Pintharoo Abhiman programme. The convocation ceremony was held in grand style on the 18th of January 2024 at the JAT Holdings Auditorium in Thalawathugoda. During the event, the 3rd batch of skilled painters and carpenters, consisting of 132 individuals, received their internationally recognised National Vocational Qualifications (NVQ) from the National Apprentice and Industrial Training Authority (NAITA). Accordingly, since its inception, over 250 skilled wood craftsmen have now been facilitated by JAT Pintharoo Abhiman to receive NVQ Level 3 certification.

The Chief Guest at the event was none other than Hon. Manusha Nanayakkara, MP – Minister of Labour and Foreign Employment, who graced the occasion with his valuable presence, highlighting the importance that JAT Holdings PLC places on uplifting the communities it serves.

Expressing his support for JAT Pintharoo Abhiman, Minister Nanayakkara said, “We are immensely pleased to see the outcome of this exceptional and unique programme aimed at furthering social protection, which is a key focus for the government as well. Understanding the need to enhance the dignity, safety and rights of skilled labour and ensure secure livelihoods and protection from exploitation, the government is also working towards introducing new laws to address these areas.”

Mr. Wasantha Gunaratne, Director of Sales and Technical at JAT Holdings PLC, also shared his thoughts saying, “We are very happy to have held the 3rd Convocation in this ongoing programme to upskill, certify and create new opportunities for Sri Lanka’s carpentry and painting sector. As the leader in wood coatings in Sri Lanka and an emerging leader in the region, initiatives like Pintharoo Abhiman provide them with recognition and professional training. Ultimately, we believe this will contribute towards the enrichment of their lives, while simultaneously helping to further elevate industry standards.”

JAT Pintharoo Abhiman, initiated in 2021, reflects JAT Holdings’ commitment to uplifting the wood coatings industry by providing recognition, financial stability, and professional training to painters and carpenters. This long-term initiative is designed to enhance industry standards and empower individual wood craftsmen who demonstrate exceptional skill but have not had the opportunity to pursue formal certification. This certification (NVQ Level 3) is provided through a fast-tracked programme conducted by JAT Holdings PLC, in partnership with NAITA.

Now in its 3rd year, JAT Pintharoo Abhiman aligns with several United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, including SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), and SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure). By nurturing skills and contributing to sustainable practices, JAT Holdings PLC continues to positively impact livelihood development and education within its communities. JAT Pintharoo Abhiman has also recently launched a Pilot Project for Female Painters and Carpenters, aligning with SDG 5 as well; achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls.

JAT Holdings PLC is the market leader in wood coatings and brushes in Sri Lanka, with a dominant presence in the paints, and luxury home and office furnishing sectors. With two state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities, located in Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, supported by an advanced Research and Development Centre in Sri Lanka, JAT Holdings continues to fuel innovation, solidifying its position as a key player and emerging conglomerate in the region. Recognized for its financial stability, even in times of adversity, JAT Holdings PLC has been awarded a National Long-Term Rating of ‘AA (lka)’ by Fitch Ratings, whilst also being prestigiously ranked as the No. 1 Most Awarded Entity in the Diversified Sector by LMD. JAT Holdings’ commitment to its employees and workplace excellence has also been recognized through its certification as a Great Place to Work, making it an employer of choice.