VIENTIANE: Efforts to raise Lao workers’ skills to international standards are gaining pace through an International Labour Organisation-China programme to support growth and ease labour shortages.
Progress to date and plans for the future were discussed at the annual meeting of the Steering Committee of the Lao PDR Strengthening Skills Development Project, which took place in Vientiane on March 31.
Vice President of the Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Xaybandith Rasphone, chaired the opening session.
Vice President of the Lao Federation of Trade Unions, Vilay Vongkhaserm, and Project Manager of the International Labour Organisation-China Cooperation Programme, Thien Feng, also attended.
The meeting reviewed progress made in 2025 and discussed plans for 2026-2027, with a strong focus on aligning Lao workforce skills with regional and international standards.
Participants included representatives from the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare, Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Lao Federation of Trade Unions, the International Labour Organisation in Laos, the Chinese Embassy’s Skills Development Institute, and vocational education institutes.
Officials said the programme plays a key role in helping Laos respond to economic pressures, including rising inflation and labour shortages affecting businesses and factories.
Since 2019, cooperation under the International Labour Organisation-China programme has delivered results in policy improvement, legal frameworks and regional cooperation, including support for the Asean Skills Competition.
Training has focused on priority sectors such as garment-making, food processing, e-commerce, marketing and electric vehicles, helping workers gain practical skills suited to market demand.
The programme also supports hands-on company-based training, enabling trainers to guide workers more effectively in real work settings.
Through close cooperation between the government, employers and workers, the meeting agreed on clear steps to improve job opportunities and boost workplace productivity.
Discussions also focused on strengthening links between training and job market needs, including skills standards, curriculum development, certification systems and job placement services.
The new plan aligns with the government’s National Socio-Economic Development Plan for 2026-2030, the five-year labour and social welfare development plan, and the Sustainable Development Goals.
Meeting participants agreed to continue working closely with all partners to ensure skills development meets international standards and supports sustainable economic growth. - Vientiane Times/ANN
