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VTESS Phase 2: Advancing Vocational Training and Employment Support in Laos

Laos
Initial vocational education and training
LAOS Phetsila Phoumbandith13.03.2025
On March 13, 2025, the Combined Project Steering Committee (PSC) and Central Project Implementation Committee (CPIC) Meeting was held, marking a significant milestone for the Vocational Training and Employment Support Services (VTESS) project. This meeting concluded Phase 1 and officially launched Phase 2, following the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signing on October 15, 2024. Phase 2 will run until November 2027.
Combined Project Steering Committee and Central Project Implementation Committee Meeting
Combined Project Steering Committee and Central Project Implementation Committee Meeting

Building on the successes of Phase 1, VTESS Phase 2 continues in Oudomxay (ODX), Xayabouly (XBY), Xiengkhouang (XKH), Khammouane (KHM), and Savannakhet (SLV), with an expansion to Vientiane Capital. The project actively engages stakeholders at the provincial level, having conducted 15 Provincial Project Implementation Committee (PPIC) meetings across partner provinces.

Combined Project Steering Committee and Central Project Implementation Committee Meeting 
Exhibited mushroom, grown by a beneficiary of VTESS Project

Key Achievements

  • 469 trainees participated in C1 training (38% females), with 66 progressing to C2 across 11 vocational trades.
  • 7% of female trainees pursued male-oriented courses, and 1.4% of males chose female-oriented trades.
  • 422 graduates completed the Full Coaching Cycle (64%+ females).
  • 177 C1 & C2 graduates joined the Post Training Support (PTS) program (42% females).
  • 227 Outreach Training graduates, with 47% female participation.
  • 56% of IVET trainees belong to ethnic minority groups, highlighting the project’s commitment to inclusivity.
Combined Project Steering Committee and Central Project Implementation Committee Meeting 

Expanding Employment Support

Recognizing the increasing demand for employment services, VTESS has successfully applied a localized Coaching for Employment and Entrepreneurship (C4EE) methodology, developed in collaboration with Hochschule Luzern (HSLU). In 2025, VTESS will focus on further localizing C4EE through capacity building and mentoring of Local Master Trainers to enhance its impact.

Combined Project Steering Committee and Central Project Implementation Committee Meeting 
Combined Project Steering Committee and Central Project Implementation Committee Meeting 

Looking Ahead

Since 2024, VTESS has been working on project capitalization and will continue strengthening and scaling successful components until 2027. Despite challenges such as the high dropout rate (92%) in the Equivalency Programme and policy-level delays in the TVET Development Fund, VTESS remains committed to improving vocational training and employment opportunities for Lao youth.

Combined Project Steering Committee and Central Project Implementation Committee Meeting 
Combined Project Steering Committee and Central Project Implementation Committee Meeting 

We extend our gratitude to all partners and stakeholders for their continuous support and dedication. Together, we will continue empowering youth with skills for the future.

A meeting's section for questions, comments and recommendations
A meeting's section for questions, comments and recommendations
A meeting's section for questions, comments and recommendations
A meeting's section for questions, comments and recommendations
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.
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