People in Paro who have not completed formal education will now be able to access short-term skills training designed to improve their chances of employment and self-reliance. A new Community Skilling Centre has been launched, offering flexible courses based on local labour market needs.
A new Community Skilling Centre has been launched in Jangsa under Dopshari Gewog.
Officials say the initiative aims to make skills training more inclusive, particularly for people who have not completed formal schooling.
The project cost around Nu 4.4 M for infrastructure development.
Courses will cover health and hygiene, cooking, plumbing and ICT for now. Each batch will take around 20 trainees. No formal educational qualification is required to enroll.
Training schedules will be flexible and may be held in the morning, afternoon or evening, depending on participants’ needs.
For local leaders, the centre responds to long-standing skills gaps in the community.
Shaba Gup Sangay Lhamo said, “Many degree holders choose not to remain in their villages after graduation. However, some young people have left school early or never had the opportunity to attend school, yet possess valuable talents and potential. This centre will provide them with an opportunity to develop their skills further and contribute meaningfully to their communities.”
Hungrel Gup Sherab Lhamo said, “In Hungrel Gewog, we often award community development contracts to local youth. However, when they lack the necessary skills, the quality of work suffers. This not only affects people’s livelihoods but can also lead to inefficient use of government resources. The Community Skilling Centre can help address this gap by equipping young people with practical skills.”
The programme draws lessons from the former Community Learning Centre in Naja Gewog, Paro, where around 150 people received carpentry training. The impact of that training is still visible in the community today.
Naja Mangmi Jampel Dorji said,”The carpentry training provided through the Community Learning Centre has benefited many people in Naja. Participants are now able to carry out carpentry work confidently, build and repair their own homes, and contribute more effectively to community projects. The training has made them more skilled and self-reliant.”
Building on this model, the Ministry of Education and Skills Development has introduced the Community Skilling Centre approach.
A survey will soon be carried out across all ten gewogs in Paro to identify priority skills needed in communities.
Training programmes will then be developed based on the findings.
“The centre will work closely with communities to identify the skills that people need to improve their livelihoods. Based on these assessments, we will submit training proposals to the dzongkhag administration and the ministry. Once approved, we will organise and deliver the training programmes accordingly,” said Rinzin Tshewang Norbu, CSC Instructor in Paro.
Authorities say the survey will also help identify underserved and remote areas. If demand is high, similar centres may be established in other parts of the country.
“To ensure that the skills training remains relevant and effective, we will conduct regular monitoring and evaluation. Based on the findings, we will refine the training delivery approach. Where possible, the ministry will also mobilise trainers from Technical Training Institutes to support the programmes,” said Jigme Dorji, the Chief Programme Officer, for the Department of Workforce Planning and Skills Development, MoESD.
Officials also say participants who gain sufficient competencies may later enter the formal TVET system through Recognition of Prior Learning, creating a pathway to nationally recognised qualifications.
With the new centre, authorities hope to bridge the gap between skills training and local employment needs, especially for those who previously had limited access to formal education.
Karma Samten Wangda, Paro
Edited by Sangay Chezom
