The College of Contract Management (UniCCM), a UK-based professional college, offers Level 3 to Level 7 (Diploma to Postgraduate) programmes to students in the UK, Europe, the Middle East, and other parts of the world. The College has now launched a pioneering social responsibility initiative by offering free Foundation Diplomas in IT, a fantastic opportunity for Sri Lankan students to gain a British qualification entirely free of charge, delivered directly without any franchised partners.
This qualification stands apart from conventional academic programmes, which often fail to equip students with the practical skills required for real-world employment.
Most students at the College of Contract Management already hold bachelor’s or master’s degrees from top universities worldwide. They have chosen to study further with the College because of its tailored professional diplomas, designed specifically to develop the competencies and skills of working professionals to the highest level.
The College contributes significantly to the construction, engineering, IT, and business sectors by producing highly skilled professionals capable of excelling in their roles. While headquartered in Surrey, UK, the College also operates back offices in several countries. One of its most successful offices has been in Colombo 03, Sri Lanka, where it has operated for several years.
The College has consistently found Sri Lankan professionals to be smart, hardworking, and highly dedicated. This positive experience has encouraged them to hire more tech professionals from Sri Lanka. Despite conducting weekly interviews over several years, they noted a shortage of suitable candidates due to insufficient practical skills in the local job market.
Mrs Elise de Carteret, who based in the headquarters and leads recruitment, stated that although they meet over 50 job seekers each week in Colombo and see many job postings in the market, the academic qualifications held by most candidates do not align with industry requirements.
As a result, the College’s top management has decided to offer this free opportunity to Sri Lankan students to build real-world skills through the Foundation Diploma in IT programme. Unlike academic courses, this programme has been designed by industry experts and is delivered by experienced professionals using real-world examples, lab sessions, industry-focused case studies, and capstone projects.
At the end of each module, students will complete assignments based entirely on real-world scenarios, enabling them to gain practical experience and become immediately employable. The curriculum focuses on developing job-ready competencies, preparing graduates to either enter the workforce or pursue further studies with confidence.
While their courses are relatively expensive compared to the local market especially with UK-based lecturers and operating costs, the College is committed to delivering this Foundation Diploma in IT at no cost to Sri Lankan students.
They found it particularly challenging to source IT and digital marketing professionals in Colombo for their own operations, and recognised that academic courses often fall short in meeting industry expectations. Despite thousands of jobs being advertised daily on platforms such as LinkedIn and TopJobs, many job seekers remain unemployed due to this disconnect.
Their research into the education landscape in Sri Lanka revealed that in 2024, 333,000 school leavers applied for university admission, with 150,000 passing the qualifying Advanced Level exam, but only 41,000 university placements were available. This leaves approximately 50,000 qualified students without access to higher education – often due to financial constraints.
The College believes that this opportunity in Colombo will help such students launch their careers in IT, rather than resorting to low-skilled jobs abroad in the Middle East or Far Asia. Furthermore, this initiative will help create a significant talent pool in the country, which in turn can attract more employers and investors to Sri Lanka’s IT sector.
The Principal of the College commented that setting up and running a back office in Sri Lanka has been far smoother compared to other developing countries, based on their own experience. This presents Sri Lanka as a viable gateway for larger corporations ultimately boosting foreign currency inflow, increasing demand in real estate, and encouraging investment in relevant sectors.
Mr Janith Sachintha, Associate Director of the Colombo office, added that the new Sri Lankan government has shown a clear intent to grow the economy through the digital sector. However, building a strong talent pool is essential to support this growth. While academic institutions do play a role, it takes time for their graduates to become industry-ready, and without real-world experience, many struggle to find employment.
The College of Contract Management stands out for its practical approach, using case studies and real-life projects throughout its programmes. With over 13 years of global experience, the College has built a reputation for offering industry-relevant courses that prepare students for success in their careers.
Courses are taught by experienced professionals who act as mentors, offering practical guidance and career insight. The initiative goes beyond helping individual students, it contributes to Sri Lanka’s broader economic transformation. By building a workforce equipped for the digital economy, the programme supports national competitiveness and long-term growth.
Graduates will not only gain practical competencies that make them job-ready but also gain confidence and access to broader career prospects. The hands-on approach ensures they graduate with skills that employers actively seek.
The College is committing substantial funding to operate these free IT diploma programmes in Sri Lanka and other countries where it has back-office operations. The project includes full-time lecturers, tutors, and access to IT lab facilities.
This is a social responsibility initiative, not a commercial expansion. As a fully funded programme, it removes financial barriers for talented students and demonstrates how international education providers can meaningfully contribute to economic growth through knowledge and skills transfer.
Sri Lankan students interested in the Foundation Diploma in IT can register at www.uniccm.com or through links on the College’s official social media channels. The registration process is simple and inclusive, ensuring that no qualified student is excluded due to financial or administrative constraints.
For information on UniCCM and the IT Diploma programme please contact – 0779077300
Photo caption : (Left to Right)1. Ashani Kaushalya – Sales Manager 2. Janith Sachinthana – Associate Director 3. Rhiannon Wilson – Digital Marketing Manager 4. Elise De Carteret – Executive Secretary 5. Ruhaim Razack – Associate Director
