The Bhutanese Leading the way.
Ministry of Labor and Human Resources (MoLHR)-Management Information System (MIS) was launched with an objective to improve the operational efficiency of the ministry by bringing together all the allied information systems that were developed since 2006, but in isolation of each other.
According to MoLHR, about 10 information management systems are in place with the ministry, but since they were developed over different platforms and on silos, issue of data integration, interface and data redundancy have compromised the value, and thereby the utility of these information system.
Nevertheless, the new system, MoLHR-MIS, has brought all these existing systems under one framework which will provide a seamless environment to facilitate the supply and demand for skills and jobs.
The new system is expected to generate the much needed real time integrated data and information that are essential for taking informed and evidence-based decisions.
An official from MoLHR said, “With the new system in place, job seekers can instantly create an account and can access hundreds of job listing. Employers can post their job opening with descriptions, and it provides a one window service for recruitment and management of foreign workers.”
He further added that Bhutanese can apply for various TVET programs offered by the ministry and for TVET providers to avail online services such as curriculum endorsement, registration, course accreditation and many others. Likewise, it will be a repository of all the information related to the labour market.
Meanwhile, Labour Minister Karma Dorji said that almost 16 years ago, the LaborNet and Job Portal would provide information on available jobs, and job seekers in the country, and online applications for requirements of foreign workers, so that MoLHR could see and match where available job seekers could be referred to the employers seeking foreign workers.
“We have four major systems, with integrated data management, getting data from the source, and integrated to capture a lot of real-time data. A comprehensive system, where we can now be able to make critical decisions on real-time data, enhanced service delivery, and further inclusion of new services are done in the new system,” Lyonpo added.
He said that with the system they can generate an accurate number of job seekers, can track and trace TVET/ Skill Development trainees and has the capability to cater to private house constructions from certified builders, specialized firms that the Build Bhutan Project had helped create in the construction sectors, and many more for all services related to the ministry.
“We are very hopeful that it will immensely help in providing services faster, efficiently, and effectively. We will make it better each day to provide better government-to-citizen services. With all our services now online, on one platform, we expect the delivery of our services to be transformational, which was made possible by the generous support of the Asian Development Bank.” Lyonpo added.
MIS aims to improve transparency through minimizing the face-to-face interactions between the service providers and clients and reduce bureaucratic discretion. Furthermore, there will be an audit trail to ensure accountability on the approving officers by keeping track of the applications if anything goes wrong.
The development of this system is based on the agile process, and therefore, it is a dynamic and evolutionary system capable of responding to the changing needs.
The development of the MIS is supported through the Skills Training and Education Pathways Upgradation Project (STEP-UP) funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
