MENU
back
en
  1. Home
  2. News
  3. Empowering Skills and Entrepreneurship: SDC Delegation Visit VTESS Project Activities to Saravan Province

Empowering Skills and Entrepreneurship: SDC Delegation Visit VTESS Project Activities to Saravan Province 

Laos
Initial vocational education and training
25.11.2024
From 18–19 November 2024, a delegation from the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) visited Saravan Province to observe the achievements of the Vocational Training and Employment Support Services (VTESS) project. This visit highlighted the transformative impact of skills development and entrepreneurship support on local communities. 
The SDC delegation and Swisscontact Team visiting an EBT participant at the KNT Computer Repairing Shop in Saravan District, Saravan Province. 

The delegation met graduates from the Integrated Vocational Education and Training (IVET) school who are now employed in industries such as motorbike repair and cooking. They also interacted with participants from Institution Based Training (IBT) and Enterprise Based Training (EBT), who are practicing professions including beauty salon services, car and computer repair, fish farming, mushroom cultivation, and tailoring. These trainees are expected to complete their training by the end of November 2024 and aim to apply for seed funding to start their own businesses.

The delegation explored a tailoring class of IVET students at the IVET School of Saravan Province. 

During the visit, the delegation had a valuable opportunity to meet with the Vice Governor of Saravan Province, the IVET School, and the Provincial Office of Labour and Social Welfare. These discussions underscored the collaborative efforts between local government partners and the VTESS project in promoting vocational training and employment support. 

Meeting between the delegation with the Deputy Director of PoLSW  of Saravan Province together with the team.

Additionally, the delegation explored the businesses and success stories of Seed Money recipients, witnessing their entrepreneurial achievements and the significant role VTESS plays in fostering self-reliance and economic growth. The visit served as a demonstration of the commitment of all stakeholders involved in empowering individuals with the skills and opportunities necessary to build brighter futures. 

Visiting the Phonphai Fish Raising Center, a training provider to two EBT participants

We extend our gratitude to our VTESS partners in Saravan Province for their support and hospitality during this visit. Together, we are making developments to enhance the livelihoods of local communities through skills development and entrepreneurship. 

A group of IVET students learning to fix a tractor engine. 
Mr. Joe, an IVET C2 graduate in 2023, who currently opens his motorbike repairing shop. 
Mr. Phot, a Seed Money recipient who opened his barber shop since 2023.
Ms. Lacky, a 16-year-old girl who is taking an EBT training on mushroom growing at the Green Earth Center in Lao Ngarm District. 
2019 - 2027
Laos
Initial vocational education and training
Vocational Training and Employment Support Services in Laos
The VTESS project aims at vocational training and labour market insertion or re-entering of schooling of the main project beneficiaries, who are people between 15 and 35 years of age, have completed primary and/ or lower secondary education only (early school leavers), and are subjected to income poverty. The main objective of the project is to improve the income and, ultimately, the livelihood of its beneficiaries.
Learn more