The DFCC Bank is supporting an initiative by Prof. G.L. Pieris to give 'A' level commerce students an opportunity of familiarising themselves with the practical aspects of the business world so that they would be better equipped for the job market.

A DFCC spokesman said that they were supporting the Commerce Students Foundation to organise 50 seminars in the provinces to help this concept take wing. It was launched last week at Rajasinghe MMV in Hanwella.

The spokesman noted that at the last AL exam where nearly 180,000 students appeared, 30% of the candidates offered commerce subjects. Next to the arts students (45%), this was the biggest single segment.

At the inauguration of the programme - From left: T. Wijemanne - AGM Legal & Admin - DFCC Bank, Mervyn Weerasuriya - Commissioner General-Inland Revenmue, Prof. G. L. Pieris-Minister of Justice, Constitutional Affairs, Ethnic Affairs and National Integration and Deputy Minister of Finance - Ajith Panditharatne - President Commerce Students' Foundation, M. R. Prelis - Chief Executive - DFCC.

"Soon they'll all begin their long march looking for jobs. Most of them know only what they learned in the classroom. They've had little opportunities to experience the realities outside their curriculum. Invariably they are in trouble in the job market,'' the spokesman said.

This was the thrust of the minister's speech at Hanwella where he spoke to nearly a thousand students and teachers from the Avisawella/Hanwella area and urged them to make the best use of the opportunity that was offered by the seminars.

Said DFCC CEO Maxi Prelis: "They must be conversant with current global and regional trends and their impact on our country. They will be key players in the future Sri Lanka and it is our social responsibility to equip them to take on the task.''

The resource personnel used for these seminars are experienced people from both the private and state sectors. The areas covered include current trends in the economy and their impact on the financial sector, business and commercial law, how best to face examinations and career guidance.