Enhanced Skills for Sustainable and Rewarding Employment (ENSSURE) Phase II

Whilst Nepal’s constitution highlights employment as a fundamental right, nearly 1 million youth out of the country’s total labour force of 7.99 million were unemployed in 2019 and at least a third of the employed labour force was underemployed. This is further exacerbated by the economic crisis triggered by the COVID-19 outbreak which doubled unemployment rates according to the International Labour Organisation and resulted into thousands of Nepalese losing their jobs in domestic and international labour markets.

The Government of Nepal recognises the TVET system as a crucial instrument to achieve the goal of economic prosperity. This is reflected in the country´s fifteenth periodic plan, which aims to provide dignified and productive employment for all Nepalese citizens. Recently, steps have been taken in the on-going finalisation of the TVET Act to clarify the roles of the three tiers of government in the implementation of a federalised TVET sector, where the federal government will take on a coordination role, whilst provincial and local governments will hold implementation responsibilities.

In this pivotal moment for the TVET sector, this phase will support the institutionalisation and implementation of a federalised TVET sector, building on the foundations of phase 1. It will accompany the Government of Nepal to set precedents in the creation of institutional arrangements between the private and public sector to seamlessly help workers increase their employability and support enterprises’ quick recovery.

Outcome 1: Nepalese youth, women and men, have gainful employment.

Outcome 2: Federal, provincial and local government institutions respond to the needs of the labour market.

Outcome 3: Private companies meet their needs for skilled human resources through active   engagement in the TVET sector. 

Risultati principali attesi:  

1.1  Nepalese youths attend TVET courses that meet their needs.

1.2  Current employees and returnee migrants attend TVET courses to upgrade their skills.

1.3  Nepalese youths have access to career guidance services.

2.1  Provincial and local governments allocate financial and human resources to TVET and career guidance services.

2.2  Federal government agencies provide relevant TVET services, according to their defined role.

2.3  Provincial governments collaborate with private sector associations to gather information on skills needs.

2.4  Provincial and local governments have increased capacity to support and/or implement TVET programmes/courses.

3.1  Business and industry association members adopt business and Human Resource strategies within the TVET framework.

3.2  Business and industry association members actively contribute to the training cycle.

3.3 Business and industry association members have increased capacity to participate actively in TVET programmes/courses. 

Risultati fasi precedenti:  

In ENSSURE phase 1, SDC pioneered and implemented the Dual-Vocational Education and Training (Dual-VET) approach, in line with the needs of Nepali businesses and industries , as a result:

- 5’753 trainees, including 17.6% women, have enrolled in trainings facilitated during the first phase.

- The quality of trainings as well as the engagement of industries and businesses translated into 76.4% of the total training graduates finding gainful employment in the Nepali labour market.

- 450 industries have started and continuously paid allowances to their apprentices.

- 10’000 secondary level students in community schools were provided with career guidance. This has been owned by several local governments which have allocated funds to expand career guidance in additional schools.

- Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) at workplace was introduced. This prompted many industries to re-organize their workspaces to assure safety of the workers and apprentices.