VSDP - Vocational Skills Development Programme

The overall goal is to contribute to better livelihood opportunities and increased economic resilience for women and men in target areas.

The geographic focus is southern Shan, the southeast (Mon & Kayin) and Yangon.

Selected sectors: Agriculture, traditional textiles and infrastructure maintenance were selected for their economic potential and resilience in the current context.

-    15’000 direct beneficiaries (with minimum 50% women), such as agricultural workers (in particular women and youth); MSMEs (in particular women-owned), women artisans, single mothers, women with disabilities, women who lost jobs in the ready-made garment sector, domestic migrant workers, IDPs, people whose education was disrupted due to the coup.

-    50’000 indirect beneficiaries.

Outcome 1)    Women and men have relevant skills to find employment or self employment.

Outcome 2)    Micro-, Small and Medium Enterprises are more resilient and able to generate and safeguard employment opportunities.

Outcome 3)    Key stakeholders collaborate to contribute to more resilient local labor markets, employment numbers and economies.

Expected results:  

Output 1.1)    Skills of unemployed and working people in selected labour markets are strengthened.

Output 1.2)    Employment Support Services are strengthened.

Output 2.1)    Linkages of MSMEs to finance and Business Development Services are established.

Output 3.1)    Collaboration and learning spaces are established and functional.

Results from previous phases:  

-    9’000 people have been trained and around 22’500 indirectly benefited people;

-    64% of graduates found a job and 59% improved their income, yet only 44% of women graduates. Specific support to women graduates is thus needed to improve their employability and income;

-    Support to the demand side is also required to improve the employment results; 

-    Partnering with private training providers has proved to be a more sustainable way of delivering vocational training while keeping a lower profile. 

The project will especially coordinate with the portfolio under Skills & Market Development Domain (FOSTER, LIFT, Biotrade Project), but will also have links with the Humanitarian Direct Action.

The project does not provide technical or direct financial assistance to government bodies, but will have to sign two Memoranda of Understanding to be able to implement its activities.

Swisscontact will coordinate with other projects in the TVET sectors such as the ones implemented by LIFT, GIZ, the EU and NORAD.