The Bhutanese Leading the way.
As part of its 13th FYP, the report reveals a substantial investment of Nu 10 billion aimed at equipping the population with the essential skills and knowledge required for the modern economy.
“This program is aimed at equipping the Bhutanese population with relevant knowledge and skill-sets for 21st-century economic needs.” states the 13th FYP report.
The program focuses on transforming both the Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET) system and Tertiary Education Institutes (TEIs).
Key institutions involved include the Royal University of Bhutan (RUB), Royal Institute of Management (RIM), Jigme Singye Wangchuck School of Law (JSW Law), and Khesar Gyalpo University of Medical Sciences of Bhutan (KGUMSB).
These institutions will take the lead in aligning their curricula with the specific needs of key economic sectors such as manufacturing, energy, environment, agriculture, mining, construction, tourism, digital and creative industries, finance, and social services.
It aims to capitalize on the country’s human resources, strengthen youth employment, and lay the groundwork for Bhutan to achieve high-income status in the long term.
“Over the 13th FYP period, approximately 70,000 youths are expected to transition from the education and training system into the workforce. To facilitate this transition, the program aims to ensure that at least 50 percent of the workforce possesses higher education or vocational skills by 2029,” states the report.
The report outlines the projected labor supply within this period, including 18,212 undergraduates, 3,416 diploma holders, and 48,673 Class XII graduates, totaling 70,301 individuals.
To achieve the goal of providing quality education and skills training, the program will partner with TEIs and reputable international universities.
Such partnerships will provide joint programs, elective courses with credit transfer options, and access to online learning resources, facilitating personalized learning opportunities for students.
Moreover, the government plans to sustain its investment in undergraduate studies through scholarship programs focused on priority areas, enabling students to pursue education at prestigious international universities.
The TVET system will undergo substantial improvements, including the establishment of state-of-the-art infrastructure, enhancing faculty capabilities, and restructuring and diversifying training programs to better meet market demands.
“Transformation of the education and TVET system is a long-term process that requires time to show results,” the report acknowledges, and further states, “In the interim, the government will invest in targeted short-term skills training for job-seekers and the existing workforce in priority economic sectors.”
The civil service workforce, recognized as a vital component of the economy, will also benefit from this program.
Opportunities for long-term studies and competency-based short courses in priority fields will be provided to ensure the civil service remains well-equipped to support the nation’s development goals.
As the program is implemented, it promises to enhance individual livelihoods and drive the nation toward sustainable economic growth.
