2017年-世界发展银行全球_Practical_Solutions_for_Addressing_Labor-Related_Barriers_to_Bhutans_Private_Employment_Growth_24页_870kb

Summary of "Practical Solutions for Addressing Labor-Related Barriers to Bhutan’s Private Employment Growth"

Core Content

This document outlines practical strategies to address labor-related barriers that hinder private sector employment growth in Bhutan. It highlights the challenges faced by the labor market, including a mismatch between the skills of the workforce and the needs of the private sector, restrictions on employing non-Bhutanese workers, and a lack of interest in private sector jobs among Bhutanese workers. The report suggests a multi-faceted approach to improve skills, enhance access to foreign labor, and increase the appeal of private sector employment through better benefits.

Main Labor-Related Constraints

• Lack of relevant skills and experience among the workforce.
• Restrictions on employing non-Bhutanese workers, limiting the labor supply.
• Low interest in private sector jobs, attributed to the poor quality of such positions.

Key Recommendations

A. Improve the Skills of the Working Population

1. Enhance vocational training responsiveness to private sector needs:

   • Use market-driven selection of trade occupations.
   • Implement performance-based contracts to ensure quality outcomes.
   • Examples: YES and GSP programs in Bhutan, McKinsey Generation in various countries.

2. Strengthen ICT-specific training modules:

   • Build on existing education and ICT plans.
   • Introduce specialized and general ICT training in formal and vocational education.
   • Leverage public-private partnerships for technology transfer and training.

3. Introduce soft skills modules:

   • Incorporate socio-emotional skills into education and training at all levels.
   • Use online technology, participatory approaches, and mentorship to reinforce learning.
   • Examples: Construye T in Mexico, Girls First in India, McKinsey Generation globally.

4. Strengthen on-the-job training for SMEs:

   • Enhance the productivity of workers and support firms in skill development.
   • Help SMEs adopt new technologies and improve their competitiveness.

International Experience and Best Practices

• McKinsey Generation has shown success in targeting occupations that lead to career progression, with high placement and retention rates.
• YES and GSP programs in Bhutan use performance-based contracts to align training with job market needs.
• Apprenticeship programs in Brazil, with government incentives and flexible contracts, have also demonstrated effectiveness in improving long-term employment prospects.
• Singapore’s ITB and Hyderabad’s IIIT are examples of successful public-private partnerships in strengthening ICT education and training.

Key Findings from Bhutan

• High unemployment among educated urban youth (9.4%).
• Part-time employment is common among young workers.
• Vocational training initiatives have had limited success due to inadequate financing and low perceived value.
• ICT skills are crucial for Bhutan due to geographical challenges in non-ICT exports.
• Soft skills are increasingly important as mechanization grows, with many firms citing a lack of leadership and teamwork skills as a concern.

Conclusion

To ensure sustainable private sector growth in Bhutan, the labor market must be aligned with the needs of employers through targeted skills development, improved access to foreign labor, and better incentives for private sector employment. The report emphasizes the importance of designing training programs that are responsive, of high quality, and aligned with both market demand and the long-term development of workers' careers. It also highlights the need for ongoing assessment and adaptation of these programs to ensure their effectiveness and impact.