A training session in Champasak province prepares young people for the real-world workplace.

ADB approves US$36 million to boost skills development and drive inclusive, green growth

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a US$36 million financing package to strengthen technical and vocational education and training (TVET) in Laos, with the aim of aligning skills development with labour market needs and expanding job opportunities for young people, particularly women, according to a news release from ADB.
The Skills Enhancement for Inclusive and Green Economic Development Project will support the government in building a more competitive and resilient economy by upgrading TVET facilities, improving teaching quality, and equipping graduates with skills required in emerging green and high-demand industries.
The financing comprises a US$30 million concessional loan from ADB’s ordinary capital resources, a US$3 million grant from the Asian Development Fund, and a US$3 million grant from the Japan Fund for Prosperous and Resilient Asia and the Pacific.
ADB Country Director for the Lao PDR, Ms Shanny Campbell, said “This project embodies ADB’s shared vision with the Lao government to invest in the country’s greatest asset—its people.”
“By equipping young people, especially disadvantaged women, with practical skills for the green economy, this initiative drives job creation, fosters resilience, promotes inclusive growth, and builds a competitive workforce that will shape Laos’ sustainable and prosperous future.”
Despite progress in recent years, many TVET graduates in Laos lack job-ready skills, contributing to unemployment and underemployment. About four in every ten young people are not in education, employment, or training.
Young women continue to face social and financial barriers that limit their participation in expanding sectors such as information and communications technology, construction, and green industries. Most TVET schools continue to rely on outdated teaching approaches and equipment.
The project aims to address these challenges by preparing students for green and high-demand occupations. It will introduce advanced courses in electric vehicle maintenance, ICT, and industrial electrical systems, with an emphasis on integrating green skills.
Teachers will receive training in modern technologies and updated pedagogical methods, while short-term skills training will be made available for youth and adults. Partnerships with businesses will support internships, practical learning, and job fairs.
To improve access for disadvantaged groups, 11 TVET schools will be upgraded with climate- and disaster-resilient infrastructure, energy-efficient equipment, and modern dormitories for female students from rural areas.
The project will also deliver life-skills training, promote women’s enrolment in advanced courses, provide stipends for returning students, and conduct awareness campaigns to help remove gender barriers in technical fields.

By Times Reporters
(Latest Update November 24, 2025)