Abstract:
A review of literature, service exposure & research conducted indicates that the professional skills of staff officers & clerks in the financial sector has to be rapidly increased to avoid cheap foreign labour infiltrations with the expected growth in the sector as Sri Lanka is expected to be a regional hub for financial services in the next decade. The employment opportunities in the sector for young graduates will certainly increase. With the growth of the sector many international players are expected to enter the local market creating opportunities for Sri Lankan professionals to manage mergers & acquisitions making synergy in the financial sector.
Young graduates entering the job market in the sector do obtain academic & professional qualifications but it will be beneficial for the industry if they are exposed to cutting edge practical methods of reaching goals. The objective of this paper is to raise awareness among youth planning to enter financial organizations in lower management & clerical capacities to prevent; career bottle necks & frustrations & to ensure that Sri Lankans take the lead where ever possible in financial management as we have seen the grave impact of resting financial nerve centres in the hands of foreign nationals with vested interests in our economy.
Population was 26 & hence, face to face interviews with 24 personnel representing four districts were conducted to analyze the level of awareness. Selected districts were Colombo, Gampaha (which will cater largely to upcoming port city financial hub) Galle & Matara (which will cater largely to upcoming Hambantota hub). Simple Random sampling was used as population was known. A qualitative analysis was done on the responses given to the series of questions asked. Findings show that the enthusiasm among young professionals to strengthen them is blocked due to socio cultural & poverty issues they face after joining the industry. Conclusion is to propose flexible high-end training programs at affordable costs covering technical, social, political & even regional security issues. At present only, senior managers are more attracted to such subjects but it is important to clerks & junior officers to be exposed as they will be taking over control very soon.
