VIENTIANE: The government has launched the National Labour Market Information System (LMIS) Vision to 2055 and Development Strategy to 2035, creating a long-term roadmap to strengthen employment services, improve workforce planning, and better connect workers, employers and education and training providers.
The initiative, launched through the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare, received technical and financial support from the Skills for Tourism, Agriculture and Forestry (STAF) Programme— a six-year initiative (2023-2028) implemented by the Ministry of Education and Sports in collaboration with LuxDev, the Luxembourg Development Cooperation Agency, with a total budget of Euro 26.18 million co-financed by the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, Switzerland, the European Union and the Lao government.
The initiative aims to address persistent labour market challenges, including skills shortages, insufficient alignment between labour supply and demand, and limited access to reliable labour market information, while also creating new opportunities to harness modern digital technologies for labour market planning and employment services.
The launch of the Vision and Strategy marks a significant milestone in establishing a nationally endorsed framework for the long-term development of labour market information systems in Laos.
The framework sets out priorities for strengthening governance and coordination, expanding the availability and use of labour market information, improving integration across institutions and data sources, and ensuring the long-term sustainability of the system.
A key component of the strategy is the development of a national Labour Market Information System platform designed to support employment services, labour market analysis and evidence-based decision-making.
The platform will bring together information on labour demand, workforce characteristics and skills needs, helping government agencies, education and training providers, employers and jobseekers make more informed decisions and respond more effectively to labour market trends.
Director General of the Department of Employment, Anousone Khamsingsavath, outlined the five strategic plans that are the pillars of the strategy: strengthening governance and coordination; developing a modern national LMIS software platform; expanding data coverage and integration; developing a national skills classification standard; and ensuring long-term sustainability of the system.
“For many years, the private sector in the Lao PDR has been asking a simple question that we could not answer with confidence: where are the workers, and what skills do they have? Today, we take a decisive step towards answering it,” Executive Vice President of the Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LNCCI), Thanongsinh Kanlagna, said.
He welcomed the launch as a direct response to long-standing concerns by the private sector, adding that it represents a valuable foundational tool for addressing labour market gaps in a more coordinated and effective manner.
Deputy Director General of the Department of Technical and Vocational Education and Training, Ministry of Education and Sports, Dr Saysamone Ngamsi, stressed the importance of the link between the Labour Market Information System and the education sector.
“Availability of comprehensive and timely labour market information is a key element for ensuring that Technical and Vocational Education and Training planning effectively addresses industry needs and delivers graduates with the relevant skill sets,” he said.
Dr Saysamone added that the Department of Technical and Vocational Education and Training is already in discussions with the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare to integrate student enrolment, graduate data, and training curricula into the Labour Market Information System.
Highlighting the broader significance of the system for all stakeholders, Veerle Smet, representing Team Europe, said “A modern Labour Market Information System is more than a digital platform. It helps connect skills, jobs and opportunities, supporting better decisions by policymakers, employers, education and training providers, and jobseekers alike.”
The scheme gives Laos a clear national direction and its success will now depend on sustained leadership and effective cooperation, she added.
Deputy Minister of Labour and Social Welfare Phongxaysack Inthalath said “Labour market information serves as a compass, guiding workforce development policies and ensuring that skills training and education remain responsive to the evolving needs of the market.”
The launch was attended by more than 70 participants, including senior government officials, private sector representatives, and development partners. - Vientiane Times/ANN
