Chandan Kumar Mandal

The government aims to impart free training in as many as 19 different skills to youths in a bid to produce skilled human resource that would cater to the domestic and foreign markets. The Foreign Employment Board under the Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security has offered such training to the unskilled young men and women who are likely to join the domestic labour market or migrate to various labour destination countries to earn their livelihood in the future. According to Rajan Prasad Shrestha, executive director of the board, skill training for the youths of Kathmandu Valley.

“We are issuing a public notice for training on Thursday. Anyone can apply to receive the training,” Shrestha told the Post. “However, priority will be given to candidates from marginalised groups, returnee migrant workers and their family members.”

Candidates will not have to pay any fee for attending the training courses. The courses will impart basic training in the candidate’s chosen skill for one month. In the first phase, Balaju School of Engineering and Technology affiliated with the Council for Technical Education & Vocational Training (CTEVT), will conduct the skill training. “The government does not promote foreign employment. But if one wishes to voluntarily take up foreign employment for better opportunities, such training would ensure a safer working environment and self-respect,” said Shrestha. The government reports have shown that a majority of Nepalis migrating abroad for employment are unskilled workers who are forced to take up menial and low-paying jobs, especially in the Gulf countries and Malaysia.

“After completing the course, candidates can themselves decide whether they want to go abroad for work or work inside the country, which is also facing a shortage of skilled workers,” said Shrestha. Once the candidates complete their skill training, they will have to sit in for a test before their skill is certified. If they pass the test at the end of the course, they will be provided with a certificate.

Last year, the board had launched a programme in which the National Skill Testing Board (NSTB), under the CTEVT, had rated returnee workers' occupational skills and certified them, so that they can get jobs at home as well. In the second phase of the training plan, similar training will be organised in other provinces as well.   According to Shrestha, basic training for unemployed and unskilled youths will be offered in Province 1, 2, 3, Gandaki Province and Province 5.

“Monitoring of training programmes will happen simultaneously by Labour Offices across the country,” said Shrestha. “During the second phase of the training, private sector training institutes will be hired for conducting such training in the other districts.”

Published on: 17 October 2019 | The Kathmandu Post