Sonam Deki/ Thimphu To build skills for the rapidly evolving labour market, the Ministry of Labour and Human Resource (MoLHR) is reviewing Technical, and Vocational Education and Training (TVET). The reforms will be implemented by next month. The reform report will be submitted to the Government, and the reforms in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) will be implemented by next month. According to the draft review report on TVET reforms, the focus area includes a physically appealing environment, advanced curriculum and programmes, international professional trainers, and process transformation. The Ministry of Labour and Human Resources (MoLHR) has instituted a host of reforms. “On the reforms in the technical training institute for the better employment opportunities for the youth, MoLHR initiated numerous reforms such as the establishment of a physically appealing environment with sufficient technical facilities and educational facilities with relevant subjects for the job,” states the Labour and Human Resource Minister, Lyonpo Ugyen Dorji. Adding to it, the Labour and Human Resource Minister also highlighted that MoLHR has introduced new courses and it will employ experts from other countries to train and certify the youths to work in Bhutan or outside’. Labour and Human Resource Minister also highlighted the transformation process where youths will be given fair and equal job opportunities within or in other countries. “All these reforms and policies will officially come into act between first to second weeks after the approval from the Government,” said Labour and Human Resource Minister. The unemployment figure is worsened by the returnees of overseas employment candidates, those that were hit by the cruel of the pandemic. The statistics show that 60 per cent of women, 42 per cent of 12th graduate and 13 per cent of undergraduates also lost their jobs due to pandemic that added to the unemployment figure of the country, states the Labour and Human Resource Minister. To solve the issues, the Labour and Human Recourse has come up with the National Employment policy under which they have started opportunities for the tourism sectors, introduced Build Bhutan Project, National Credit Policy from Royal Monetary Authority to set up new businesses, Youth Engagement and Livelihood Programme and initiated numerous training programme to provide skills and knowledge for the employment opportunities. Lyonpo also mentioned that the responsibilities for employment problems do not fall only on the hands of the Ministry but to the whole nation. Both the private and Government sectors need to initiate the programme and opportunities for better employment. In the wake of the pandemic, MoLHR provided job opportunities for around 1500 youths in the country. Labour and Human Resource Minister also acknowledged the comprehensive TVET review report pursued by the National Council, and the report has benefited the Ministry in tackling the reform task. Meanwhile, the consultation and the research report were completed and referred back to the Ministry owing to the relevancy and efficacy. Therefore, the Ministry has carried out extra research works, and the final meeting was held recently. The reform report will soon be submitted to the Government, and the Ministry expects to implement it by next month. The Ministry of Labour and Human Resources is not the only agency responsible for resolving unemployment issues in the country. To enable all 10 Ministries, 20 Dzongkhags and 205 Gewogs, other Private and Government Institutions to resolve unemployment issues, the 12th Plan has its 11th NKRA as “Productive & Gainful Employment Created”. Along with tackling unemployment issues, the Ministry of Labour and Human Resources is also trying to amend and formalise National Minimal Wage.