KARMA CHOGYAL YOEZER | Thimphu
For many young Bhutanese, the question after school or college is no longer only about earning a certificate or degree. Increasingly, it is about gaining practical skills that can lead to employment, income, and independence.
As competition for office jobs continues to rise, Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) is emerging as an important part of Bhutan’s education and employment system.
As in 2025 – 2026 fiscal; year, the TVET sector has been allocated with Nu. 150.0 million to modernize training systems, while Nu. 582.2 million will support expansion of infrastructure such as TTIs and Rural Development Training Centre (RDTC)s. These investments are aligned with the introduction of new TVET courses, stronger competency standards, and enhancement of the TVET management information system to better equip youth with skills relevant to the evolving economy.
The Ministry of Education and Skills Development recently published the TVET Statistics of Bhutan 2024, highlighting the growing scale of skills training across the country. According to the TVET-Management Information System (MIS), Bhutan currently has 150 registered training providers. Of these, 14 are Technical Training Institutes (TTIs) or government providers, while 136 are private or other providers.
The report also records 260 accredited courses and 754 other courses, showing that skills training has expanded well beyond government institutes. In total, the system recorded 26,030 enrollments in accredited courses and 54,439 enrollments in other courses.
These figures show that TVET is no longer a small part of Bhutan’s education system. It now involves training institutes, employers, assessors, instructors, and thousands of young people searching for practical career opportunities.
However, as TVET grows, one major question remains: Is training actually leading to jobs?
A 23-year-old graduate from TTI in Chumey, Jigme Loday, who completed training in electrical house wiring, said TVET changed the way he viewed skilled work.
“Before joining the training, I thought TVET was only for people who could not continue with higher studies. But after joining, I realised it is very practical. I learned how to use tools, follow safety rules, and do basic wiring properly. When people see that you can actually do something with your hands, they respect the skill more.”
Despite gaining confidence, he said finding stable work after graduation remains difficult.
“The difficult part comes after the course. Many employers ask for experience, but as fresh graduates, where will we get that experience? We need someone to give us the first chance. Even a few months of internship or attachment would help us show what we can do.”
His concern reflects the experience of many graduates who struggle to move from training into employment. Many believe stronger internships, apprenticeships, and job placement support are needed to bridge the gap between classrooms and workplaces.
Employers also say practical exposure is important. Cheten Duba, a private construction business owner in Thimphu, said skilled workers are still in demand, especially in technical sectors.
“We do not expect fresh graduates to know everything from day one. That is not realistic. But they should come with the basics. They should know how to measure properly, how to handle tools, and how to follow safety. If they are willing to learn, employers can guide them further.”
He added that workplace attitude matters as much as technical ability.
“For us, skill matters, but attitude also matters. If a young person comes on time, listens carefully, respects safety, and is ready to work, they can improve very fast.”
According to employers, discipline, communication, teamwork, and problem-solving are increasingly important in the labour market. This means employability depends not only on technical knowledge but also on soft skills.
At the same time, employers themselves have a role to play. Industry participation in internships, assessments, and course development can help ensure training reflects actual workplace needs.
TVET also continues to face social perception challenges. Many parents and students still see vocational education as a second option after academic education or civil service employment. This mindset discourages some young people from entering technical fields, even when there is demand for skilled workers.
However, perceptions are slowly changing as Bhutan’s economy diversifies. Skilled workers are becoming increasingly important in sectors such as construction, tourism, energy, manufacturing, transport, technology, and services.
Nima, a 21-year-old trainee from Khuruthang in Punakha, said TVET helped her become more confident, especially in dealing with people.
“In school, I was not very confident speaking to others. But during hospitality training, we had to communicate, serve guests, work in teams, and present ourselves properly. These things may look simple, but they are important when you start working.”
She said people often misunderstand skills training as only manual labour.
“TVET is not only about using tools or doing physical work. It also teaches confidence, discipline, and how to behave in a workplace. For me, it opened my mind. I feel that if tourism grows, this skill can help me find work in Bhutan or even outside.”
The TVET-MIS data also highlights the broader system supporting skills development. Bhutan currently has 186 ToT-certified trainers, 596 assessors, 239 accreditors, 65 assessment centres, and 184 QMS auditors. These figures suggest that the country is not only expanding enrollment but also improving training quality, assessment, and monitoring systems.
For some graduates, TVET also creates opportunities for self-employment. However, financial barriers remain a challenge.
Pem Namgay, a trained plumber residing in Thimphu said that many graduates struggle to start working independently because they cannot afford equipment.
“The training gave me the skill, but after training we still need tools. Even basic tools cost money. If there is support like small loans, grants, or shared workspace, many of us can start taking small jobs. Otherwise, we have the certificate, but we still have to depend on others for work,” he said.
A TVET instructor said the success of skills training should ultimately be measured by employment outcomes.
“It is good to see more youth joining TVET, but the real question is what happens after they complete the course. Are they employed? Are they using the skill? Are employers satisfied with them? These questions are important because TVET is supposed to improve livelihoods.”
For TVET sector, the challenge now is not only increasing enrollment but ensuring that training leads to meaningful employment, stronger livelihoods, and long-term economic opportunities for young people.
