Revitalising vocational education in the Lao PDR

Context

The Lao’ People’s Democratic Republic’s (Lao PDR) economy, once steadily growing, now struggles under the impacts of Covid-19 and rising prices. The pandemic disrupted education and training for over two years, while high inflation and a shortage of skilled workers slow economic recovery. As a result, student enrolment has dropped sharply, especially among female students.

To address this, the Ministry of Education and Sports promotes Dual Cooperative Training (DCT), where public and private partners work together to develop a skilled workforce that meets market demands. However, the national Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) system still falls short. It produces too few graduates with the skills businesses require, which continues to hinder growth in economically active regions.

Objective

DCT courses are available nationwide in the Lao PDR.

Approach

The project collaborates with essential partners, including the Department of Technical Vocational Education and Training (DTVET) of the Ministry of Education and Sports (MoES) as well as the Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LNCCI), to enhance the DCT framework in the Lao PDR. Activities include:

• Private industry:
  • Sustainability: Helping LNCCI in developing strategies to ensure the financial and institutional stability of the Dual-Cooperative Training - Service Centre (DCT-SC).
  • Expert guidance: Providing guidance and training to stakeholders for DCT implementing across the country.
• TVET Department of the MoES:
  • Inclusive access: Improving access to information and career guidance for all students, including disadvantaged groups.
  • Soft skills: Guiding TVET institutions in creating programmes that develop students’ lives and soft skills.
  • Entrepreneurship: Adding entrepreneurship and self-employment modules to vocational programmes.
• TVET institutes and training companies:
  • Networking: Supporting TVET institutes in establishing networks to exchange methods and knowledge on DCT implementation.
  • Green and digital skills: Updating teacher training to include green and digital skills, as well as interactive teaching methods.
  • Quality assurance: Introducing quality management systems for DCT courses at TVET institutions and training companies.
  • Gender inclusion: Promoting trades that appeal to female students.

Last update: November 2024