From providing on-the-job training to helping thousands land jobs, the Youth Engagement and Livelihood Programme, YELP has become a lifeline for many young Bhutanese since its launch in 2019. The programme has engaged over 7,900 youth nationwide so far. The Department of Employment and Entrepreneurship, under the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, and Employment, initiated the programme through on-the-job training and work experience, providing a monthly allowance for a year. 27-year-old Santi Ram works as an operator with Serka Dairy, a dairy processing business. He is employed as a regular operator through the YELP programme after completing a three-month internship.
Santi Ram says he earns a good amount of income to save in his account, as he gets paid an allowance through the YELP programme. For youth like him, YELP has not just provided jobs, but a secured future as well.
“Before joining this company, I worked as a freelancer. During that period, my income was inconsistent. I earned only when opportunities came my way and often went without any earnings. Later, I came across a vacancy at Serka Dairy. After completing a three-month internship, I became eligible for the YELP programme and secured a job. Initially, I wasn’t fully satisfied with the salary, but the allowance provided through YELP helped supplement my income. Since then, I have been able to cover my rent and even save a portion of the allowance.”
Since 2019, over 1,800 employers worked with YELP to take in interns, trainees, and job seekers. Later, the employers offered full-time jobs to several young people.
The programme offers various support such as engagement allowances, internships, and special support for national-level projects and social or community interventions.
However, one must be 18-29 years of age to be eligible for the programme.
Meanwhile, a tracer study carried out during the 12th Five-Year Plan on YELP beneficiaries found that nearly 95 per cent of participants gained new skills, and 80 per cent said the programme helped them grow both professionally and personally. More than 61 per cent of those who completed the programme were able to find jobs.
Moreover, the programme has been expanded to include Persons with Disabilities, overseas returnees, laid off workers, persons in difficult circumstances and those in conflict with the law among others. The department also said that per-month wage subsidy has beenrevised and is provided as per qualification.
The first year of the 13 Five-Year Plan engaged more than 2100 candidates under the YELP’s three components of Engagement Support, Internship Support and Special Support. According to the department, the first two years of the programme will be financially assisted by the Economic Stimulus programme.
As the country grapples with high unemployment rate among youth, programmes like YELP hold the key to future workforce readiness.
Sonam Yuden
Edited by Phub Gyem
