In a move to prepare Bhutanese for the demands of a modern economy, the government has announced a Nu 10 billion investment in overhauling the country’s education and vocational training systems during the 13th Plan.
Key institutions spearheading this transformation are the Royal University of Bhutan (RUB), Royal Institute of Management (RIM), Jigme Singye Wangchuck School of Law (JSW Law), Khesar Gyalpo University of Medical Sciences of Bhutan (KGUMSB), and the Department of Workforce Planning and Skills Development under the Ministry of Education and Skills Development (MoESD).
According to the report, nearly 70,000 youth are expected to transition from the education and training system into the workforce during the 13th Plan period.
The government’s ambitious goal is to ensure that by 2029, at least 50 percent of the workforce possess higher education or vocational skills and achieving this target requires a comprehensive overhaul of the Tertiary Education Institutes (TEIs) and the Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET) system.
A primary focus of this programme is to equip youth with skills necessary for successful integration into the 21st-century labour market.
The report added that despite major progress, the tertiary education system still requires extensive restructuring and programme diversification to meet international standards and align with the demands of key economic sectors.
These sectors include manufacturing, energy, environment, agriculture, mining, construction, tourism, digital and creative industries, finance, and social services such as health and education.
Under this programme, Bhutanese universities could forge partnerships with reputed international institutions to offer joint programmes, elective courses with credit transfer, and access to online courses, thereby enabling personalised learning options.
The government will further continue to invest in undergraduate scholarships in priority areas, allowing students to study at top-tier international universities, while a major portion of the investment will focus on transforming the TVET system.
The transformation plan includes establishing state-of-the-art infrastructure, enhancing the professional capabilities of faculty, and restructuring, upgrading, and diversifying training programmes to meet market demands.
Recognising that systemic transformation is a long-term process, the government plans to address the immediate skills gap with targeted short-term training programmes.
These programmes are designed to enhance the employability of recent graduates and provide a skilled workforce for various economic sectors.
Further, targeted skills training will be available for the existing workforce in priority sectors, focusing on upskilling and reskilling.
The programme also aims to benefit the civil service through opportunities for long-term studies and competency-based short courses and certifications in priority fields.
This comprehensive initiative, as per the Plan aims to equip the Bhutanese population with the knowledge and skills needed for modern economic demands.
By investing in human resources, the programme aims to support youth employment and guide Bhutan towards achieving high-income status in the long term.
