Bridging the Education-Employment Gap in Sri Lanka: With Special Reference to Translation Studies Curriculum and Translation Profession

Abstract

Many young people today find it difficult to receive employment due to a lack of qualifications and abilities for specific vacancies available. Despite this, the numerous public colleges have continued to generate graduates over what the labour market has demanded, creating an imbalance in the educational system. The purpose of this research is to examine how far the BA Honors Degree in Translation Studies could bridge the Education-Employment gap in Sri Lanka, especially referring to Translation Studies Curriculum and Translation Profession, and to identify the challenges faced by graduates and undergraduates when engaging in the profession. Objectives of this research are to examine the changes to be made to the curriculum to make it in line with the profession, the changes that should come within the profession to aid the development of the curriculum, and lastly, to examine how the curriculum and the profession could be bridged to cater to both present and future needs of the profession. The research used a mixed approach and provided a thematic analysis. Questionnaire-based graduates and undergraduates survey, expert interviews with professional translators, and focus group discussions were used as research instruments for primary data collection. The results showed that there is a gap between Translation Studies Curriculum and Translation Profession. The focus on teaching language skills over translation skills, undergraduates’ interest in the subject, less standard in the practical training, no opportunity for specialized translation, and less support and recognition towards the degree program from the profession and the government have been identified as reasons for creating this gap. Overall, the BA in Translation Studies is an academically successful program that creates graduates with higher language skills but not professionally.