VIENTIANE: Vocational education experts from Laos and Switzerland have joined forces to strengthen curriculum development for Technical and Vocational Education and Training institutions and enterprises in Laos.

The Technical and Vocational Education Department of the Ministry of Education and Sports on Monday (May 19) hosted a capacity building workshop for Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET) institutions and enterprises on curriculum development under the Asean-Swiss TVET Initiative.

The workshop on curriculum development for work-based learning brought together participants from the government and private sectors and featured lecturers from the Swiss Federal University for Vocational Education and Training.

Presentations centred on enhancing skills in curriculum design in four priority sectors: Inventory Management, Customer Service, Machine Tools, and Electric/Hybrid Vehicle Repair.

The Asean-Swiss TVET Initiative aims to strengthen vocational education through industry-aligned training programmes.

Under the Initiative, Asean and Switzerland will support Laos and Cambodia to strengthen their technical and vocational training systems with a focus on workplace-based learning in companies.

Participants gained practical insights into the development of work-based learning curricula, ensuring workforce readiness and industry relevance.

The event was seen as a milestone in advancing technical and vocational education training excellence in Laos. The workshop was co-chaired by Deputy Director General of the ministry’s Technical and Vocational Education Department, Tingkham Soulintha, and member of the Board of Directors of the Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Viboon Sithimolada.

In 2024, the Asean-Swiss TVET Initiative signed a Memorandum of Understanding on a project to improve job opportunities for unemployed young people and low-skilled workers in Laos, funded by the Swiss government. Under the MOU, at least 1,000 Lao people are expected to be given access to vocational training and work at businesses across the country.

Priority training fields include transportation and goods warehousing services, the retail trade, mechanics, and air-conditioning installation and repair.

The goal of the project is to provide knowledge and skills for young people who are unemployed, especially those with little education after leaving school at a young age, as well as low-skilled workers, so they learn skills that are relevant to today’s job market. - Vientiane Times/ANN