Govt, private sector review progress of Dual Cooperative Training

The Ministry of Education and Sports and the Lao National Chamber of Commerce (LNCCI) jointly undertook a progress review of the Dual Cooperative Training programme on Monday.
The event was held in Vientiane, chaired by Assoc. Prof. Dr Phout Simmalavong, Minister of Education and Sports; Mr Xaybandith Rasphone, Vice President of the LNCCI; and Ms Annette Knobloch, German Ambassador to Laos, together with representatives of the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare, vocational colleges and companies.  
Dual Cooperative Training is a special form of vocational education and training that combines school-based training in vocational colleges with practical training in companies.
This combination allows students to acquire theoretical and practical technical skills as well as work attitudes that meet the demands of the business sector.
Studies show that most students find employment in less than three months after graduation. Partner companies benefit from a well-trained, productive workforce and from reduced recruitment and induction costs.
The approach is supported by the German projects Vocational Education in Laos (VELA) and Vocational Education Financing Facility (VEFF).
The Ministry has established the legal framework for Dual Cooperative Training and a career guidance system that helps students to make a well-informed decision for their vocational training. LNCCI promotes the system through its DCT Service Centre which trains in-company trainers and certifies DCT partner companies.
At present, more than 110 companies and 13 vocational institutions are offering this innovative form of training.

After a presentation on the impressive progress Dual Cooperative Training has made in Laos, a panel discussed current challenges such as the drop in the enrolment rate in schools

and vocational training and the migration of workers to neighbouring countries and how these could be addressed.
The event concluded with the launch of an online career aptitude test called OASA (Occupational Aptitude Self-Assessment).
OASA is an online test for young people designed to help them understand what kind of professions might be a good match for their personality and interests. The test is available for anyone on the LNCCI and Ministry of Education and Sports websites. 
Speaking at the meeting, Dr Phout Simmalavong stressed the need for the public and private sectors to work together to improve vocational education.
“It is high time to re-examine the delivery of technical and vocational teaching and learning to ensure that courses offered respond to the current needs of the market. A strong partnership between the public and private sectors is the key to address this challenge.”
LNCCI Vice President Mr Xaybandith Rasphone said “Education is an investment in the future. If we do not train and educate our youth, the development of our country will be gravely endangered.”
Ambassador Knobloch reaffirmed the German government’s willingness to support Laos in this regard, saying “This issue cannot be tackled just by the government alone. The private sector also needs to play its role. Therefore, joint solutions need to be found through active cooperation between the ministries concerned and the private sector.”

By Times Reporters
 (Latest Update November 30, 2023)