Technical college to accept students who missed out on secondary school

Vientiane Technical College looks set to become the first state-run institution to enrol young people whose formal education ended after they finished primary school.
According to a recent announcement by Vientiane Technical College, which is operated by the Ministry of Education and Sports, the school is offering 160 scholarships for short-term training programmes for people aged 15-35.
The scholarships are being offered to people who did not have the opportunity to get an education beyond primary school, but would now relish the chance to build their skills and improve their job prospects.

The decision by the management of the college, which is located about 60km from the centre of Vientiane, is also in line with government policy to increase the supply of technical workers to meet the needs of the labour market.
At present, major construction projects have to bring in technical workers from other countries due to the shortage of Lao workers in these fields.
Most Lao youngsters want to study for a bachelor degree at university in the belief that such a degree will land them a good job. But this trend has led to a mismatch in the supply of people qualified to take on the jobs needed to drive Laos’ development  
The college will give priority to applicants who have completed primary school and are currently unemployed.
The training programmes that will be offered under the scholarship scheme run for three to four months and comprise courses in beauty treatment, repair of machines and vehicles, carpentry, and mushroom cultivation. Courses in the repair of freezers and refrigerators, and mushroom cultivation will run for four months.
 Interested applicants should apply to the college from February 3-21 and programmes will start on March 2. For more information call 020 55752380 or 023 400152.
Last year the college provided 90 scholarships for three-month courses in subjects including woodwork.
Last month, the college signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Toyota for free vehicle inspections as part of students’ skill development. The college also organised a blood donation drive in December when 137 students and teachers gave blood – a figure that exceeded the college’s target.
Elsewhere, the DDD Training Centre in Vientiane is providing short-term training programmes for young people aged 16-30 and will offer 500 scholarships this year.
Those who are accepted will learn computer skills, learning skills, life skills, English language, printing, and working skills over a three-month period.
Those interested in applying for a scholarship can pick up an application form at the DDD Training Centre. More information can be obtained by calling 021-720474, 020-28216824, 020-77776618, e-mail: trainingcenter@digitaldividedata.com, or visiting Facebook page DDD Laos.  The training centre is located in Tanmixay village, Xaythany district.

By Viengdavanh Banphahaksa
(Latest Update February 5, 2020)