Associate Prof Dr Phout Simmalavong (right) welcomes Jochen Flasbarth in Vientiane. - VT
VIENTIANE (Vientiane Times/Asia News Network) The quality of vocational education has steadily and positively improved, with the governments of Laos and Germany partnering in the implementation of an expanding vocational training programme.
Meanwhile, vocational schools and colleges have become more attractive among young people in Laos and employers are increasingly interested in recruiting graduates from vocational colleges.
This was the message delivered by Minister of Education and Sports, Associate Prof Dr Phout Simmalavong, during a visit by the State Secretary of Germany’s BMZ, Jochen Flasbarth, and his delegation to the Lao-German Technical College (LGTC) in Vientiane last week.
The education minister reviewed the cooperation in vocational education between Laos and Germany.
He noted that the German government had provided financial support for the construction of the Lao-German Technical College and the provision of equipment and teaching materials for the college.
Germany has also provided technical support and teaching and learning materials for use in dual cooperative training (DCT) at four DCT flagship colleges, the Vocational Education Development Institute, and the DCT Service Centre, through KfW and GIZ.
Based on the cooperation and final support agreement between the governments of Laos and Germany on Phases 1-3 of the Vocational Training Project, the German government supported the improvement of facilities at vocational schools and colleges in six northern and three southern provinces.
In Phase 4 of the project, the German government provided further grant support of 5 million Euro to improve infrastructure and provide teaching and learning materials at the first LGTC campus and the construction of its second campus in Vientiane.
Cooperation between the governments of Laos and Germany has reached its 58th anniversary and has been of longstanding benefit to the two countries.
In particular, this cooperation has seen the establishment and growth of the Lao-German Technical College and the development of vocational training across Laos.
Associate Prof Dr Phout Simmalavong said the Lao government highly appreciates this cooperation for the development of Laos and particularly for the development of technical and vocational education and training (TVET).
TVET is an integral part of the ministry’s strategic educational development plan for 2021-2025.
The Lao-German Technical College is a role model for other colleges in terms of working with the private sector to expand cooperation for the implementation of practical training and the provision of modern technology to TVET schools and colleges, which is essential to improve skill standards and ensure the relevance of TVET in the job market, both in Laos and regionally, the minister said.
Importantly, more young people are now interested in taking vocational training courses to meet the needs of the labour market.
