Overall Goal (SDC in Myanmar)Contribute to political, social and economic transitions in Myanmar that aim at a peaceful, inclusive and equitable society as well as democratically legitimized institutions

Vocational Skills and Development GoalSystematic changes in the vocational skills sector enable disadvantaged women and men of all ethnicities in peri-urban and rural areas to increase employment or self-employment.

FACTSHEET

VOCATIONAL SKILLS DEVELOPMENT FOR INCREASED EMPLOYMENT

ContextOpportunities. Myanmar is blessed with a large working aged population (aged 15 to 64) and an estimated 3 to 5 million migrants working abroad whose experience would benefit the country if they would return home. Seven sectors are likely to drive economic growth in the next 20 years: manufacturing, agriculture, infrastructure, energy & mining, tourism, finances and telecommunication. While most of Myanmar’s adult population have basic reading, writing and arithmetic skills, Myanmar has not yet accumulated the set of skills which may be demanded by the labor market in the years ahead and the labor productivity is low.

Main challenges:a. high unemployment especially amongst the

youth,b. limited access to skills development and

absence of sustainable TVET financing system,

c. high drop-out rates from schools and training providers,

d. unmet skills needs of industry and the mis-alignment with labor market needs,

e. insufficient quality and relevance of training curriculum, delivery and assessment,

f. urgency of Myanmar to be prepared for the ASEAN economic community and free labor flow in December 2015.

An effective TVET system is a significant driver of progress in Myanmar and increases the productivity of the nation as well as career progression for its people, through enhanced skills development, application of industry standards, quality assurance and certification. It provides educational opportunities for all, thereby fostering chances of decent employment. Gender equality and inclusion are particularly important in a country as ethnically diverse as Myanmar.

What SDC does: annual budget CHF 6 millionThe SDC program focuses on disadvantaged women and men, including youth, migrants, returning IDPs and refugees, mainly in the southeast, to have access to relevant vocational skills offers which meet the needs of the labor market. Three components:a. Strengthen the delivery of vocational skills

through the support of (i) the Centre for Vocational Training in Yangon, (ii) the expansion and quality of training in the hospitality industry, (iii) the provision of local vocational training for underserved (rural) areas.

b. Establish skills standards and formalise their testing system, through the support of the National Skills Development Authority and the national qualification framework to be aligned to ASEAN standards.

c. Improve the quality of vocational training

© Swisscontact Myanmar/ VSDP

VOCATIONAL SKILLS DEVELOPMENT FOR INCREASED EMPLOYMENT

For further info:Embassy of Switzerland

Email: ygn.vertretung@eda.admin.chWebsite: www.eda.admin.ch/yangon

by supporting the setting up of a modern and labour market friendly TVET teachers’ training system and its implementation.

d. Policy dialogue aiming at the transfer of the contextualised Swiss expertise focusing on the hospitality industry and the (adapted) dual training system, with the objective to feed the formulation of policies and legislation with experiences from the field.

Partnerships. SDC works with a) government at central and regional / state level as well as with local non state actors and representatives of ethnic minorities, (b) the private sector and industry who help identifying training priorities, competencies, and quality standards, (c) civil society which are actors in the delivery of vocational skills, (d) other development partners with whom Switzerland coordinates for alignment and development effectiveness (Germany, ADB, UNESCO, ILO in particular).

SDC’s current program portfolio1. Vocational and Skills Development program (VSDP): CHF 5 million/year (2014 -2025)VSDP’s aim is to contribute to systemic changes in the vocational skills sector that will enable women and men of all ethnicities in peri-urban and rural areas to realise increased employment and self-employment which will lead to higher income and welfare. Partnerships are established with MoLESS, MoST and MoL, (implementing agencies are Swisscontact/Inbas):The programmatic focus is ona. Systemic support to TVET quality and

standards setting, qualification and certification, with a focus to support the decentralization of NSSA and the participation of private sector.

b. Hotel training: The development, together with the hospitality industry, of vocational and skills development teaching programs.

c. Local vocational training to increase the outreach and access to jobs to rural populations in the SE.

2. Contribution to the Centre for Vocational Training (CVT): CHF 1 million/year (2013-2022)CVT was established in 2002 following an initiative of Swiss vocational

teachers to promote an adapted version of the dual apprenticeship model in Myanmar. CVT trains in a first phase 500 young girls and boys in 5 trades (welding, electricity, hospitality, administration, carpentry), offers teachers and instructors training as well as entrepreneurship training in the form of shorter modules. SDC contributes to the building of a new school with the objective to expand the number of intakes from 500 to 1000.

3. Contribution to the TVET teachers’ training system and training implementation programThis program is currently being developed in close coordination with GouM and GIZ (Germany).

SDC’s partnerships with the private sector – Public Private (Development) Partnerships/PPDPsIn working on achieving strategic objectives of reducing poverty, promoting transition processes, humanitarian aid and addressing global challenges, Switzerland engages with all relevant stakeholders. The private sector has a major impact on development. Companies are increasingly aware of their long-term interest in contributing to the sustainable development of the world. SDC will develop partnerships with the private sector whenever it sees the opportunity to achieve its objectives more rapidly, with a qualitatively higher standard, and at a lower cost than what could be achieved through other modalities.Criteria for deciding on whether to engage or not in a partnership with a private company. Human rights: Promotion, protection and respect for international law on human rights.Labour law: The freedom of association and the right to collective bargaining. Elimination of all forms of forced labor. Abolition of child labor. Elimination of discrimination in employment and profession.Environment: Promotion of greater environmental responsibility. Implementation and dissemination of technology that is respectful of the environmentGovernance: Action against corruption, including extortion and bribery. Promotion of gender equality.

© Swisscontact Myanmar/ VSDP

© Swisscontact Myanmar/ VSDP

© Touravanh Hook/ Swiss Cooperation Office SDC

© Touravanh Hook/ Swiss Cooperation Office SDC