Technical teachers upgrade their mechanical skills
Technical teachers upgrade their mechanical skills
Skill development is one of the key priorities as Laos moves to integrate with the Asean Economic Community (AEC) by 2015, which allows for the free flow of goods and skilled labour among the member countries.
A motorbike repair course being implemented under the strengthening technical and vocational education and training project (STVET) is one such skill development initiative in Laos.
Thirteen teachers from different vocational schools around the country have completed a motorbike repair training this week after one month of theory and practice, which included a study tour of repair shops in Vientiane.
During the course, participants exchanged experience and shared their knowledge with each other as well as gaining new insights from the specialist mechanics on hand to train the participants.
New Chip Xeng Co.,Ltd is the Honda brand dealer in Laos, and the company has supported the programme by providing facilities and technical assistance from specially trained mechanics, equipment supply and the workshop venue.
This course saw the first group of graduates who completed the Honda standard system of curriculum, said New Chip Xeng Co.,Ltd Vice President, Mr Saner Chounramany at the certificate handover ceremony on Monday.
Mr Saner said he hoped that this group will be a model for the benefits of vocational training and pass on their experience and knowledge gained through the course among students and other teachers or friends and continue to practice their occupation.
The company is always willing to provide consultation and cooperation, if participants have any questions about service and mechanical techniques after they go back to their community, he assured.
The government, with private sector cooperation, is currently focusing on skill development in different sectors to meet the needs of the domestic labour market and compete with regional neighbours, said the Director General of the Vocational Education Department, Mr Nouphan Outsa.
The training course is part of a project to boost Lao skill development and create opportunities for the local labour force to improve ahead of integration with the AEC and contribute to socio-economic development, he said.
Mr Nouphan said he believed that a similar training course will be held next year for other target groups.
Supported by the Asian Development Bank, the project is in line with the government's strategies to reduce poverty and achieve socioeconomic development.
These goals include the promotion of vocational and skills training to ensure continuing improvement in national productivity; and the creation of jobs in the formal and non-formal sectors.
In the past, New Chip Xeng Co.,Ltd has provided basic training for mechanics in Vientiane and other provinces on many occasions as well as neighbouring countries such as Vietnam and Cambodia.
The AEC allows for the managed mobility or facilitated entry for the movement of natural persons engaged in trade in goods, services, and investments, according to the prevailing regulations of the receiving country.
vientiane times
