𝐁𝐡𝐮𝐭𝐚𝐧 𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐕𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐄𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐜 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩𝐬

…𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒚 𝒔𝒆𝒆𝒌𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝒂𝒍𝒊𝒈𝒏 𝒗𝒐𝒄𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒂𝒍 𝒆𝒅𝒖𝒄𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒈𝒍𝒐𝒃𝒂𝒍 𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒅𝒂𝒓𝒅𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒏𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒂𝒍 𝒈𝒓𝒆𝒆𝒏 𝒈𝒓𝒐𝒘𝒕𝒉 𝒈𝒐𝒂𝒍𝒔

By Sonam Choden
Thimphu

The Ministry of Education and Skills Development (MoESD) of Bhutan is strengthening its Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) system through international collaborations aimed at improving quality, sustainability, and institutional capacity. With an increasing need for skilled professionals and the goal of aligning the workforce with new economic priorities, these partnerships are key to modernizing vocational education and securing its future relevance.

The diplomatic meetings in May 2025 demonstrated Bhutan’s commitment to this goal. On May 20, MoESD officials met with Philip Ackermann, Ambassador of Germany to Bhutan, followed by a meeting on May 22 with Dr. Ali Haider Ahmed, Minister of Higher Education, Labour and Skills Development of the Maldives. These engagements reflect a proactive effort to build both global and regional alliances for reforming Bhutan’s TVET system.
A major achievement from these collaborations is the ongoing partnership with the Chamber of Skilled Crafts Frankfurt Rhein-Main in Germany. Formalized through a Letter of Intent with the Royal Bhutanese Embassy, this partnership has launched the “Greening TVET in Bhutan” project. This initiative introduces technical skills and sustainable practices inspired by German standards.

“This initiative has introduced a series of high-impact activities, including the deployment of a German master trainer, capacity-building workshops for trainers and trainees aligned with German vocational standards, and a practical application of green construction methods through the building of a model washroom at the Jigme Wangchuck Power Training Institute (JWPTI) in Sarpang,” said Yeezang De Thapa, Minister for MoESD. These efforts increase the technical skills of Bhutanese trainers and students while integrating sustainability into vocational education.

According to Lyonpo, the project has brought significant modernization to Bhutan’s vocational training system by introducing best practices in curriculum development, tool and inventory management, and outreach strategies. These improvements are vital for increasing institutional efficiency and creating a TVET system that responds to national and global challenges. The project also reflects a growing emphasis on environmentally conscious vocational education, which is important as Bhutan aligns its development with green growth principles.

In December 2024, MoESD submitted a proposal to the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) seeking to establish a long-term partnership. The proposal aims to transform JWPTI into a model green technical institute. “Under this envisioned partnership, JWPTI would be managed in alignment with German vocational training standards and European norms, positioning it as a regional hub for green construction and sustainable vocational education in South Asia,” said Lyonpo.

“This strategic vision complements Bhutan’s broader national development priorities, particularly the Gelephu Mindfulness City initiative, by ensuring a pipeline of technically skilled graduates able to contribute to environmentally sustainable infrastructure projects,” she added.

Linking TVET reform to national projects such as Gelephu Mindfulness City ensures vocational education supports Bhutan’s long-term socio-economic goals. Beyond Germany, Bhutan is also focusing on regional cooperation. The meeting with Dr. Ali Haider Ahmed from the Maldives aimed to build mutual understanding and explore future collaboration in vocational education. Discussions included enhancing training opportunities and potential student and faculty exchanges. Although specific programs remain under discussion, this dialogue shows growing interest in cooperation and shared learning to meet labor market challenges faced by small developing countries.

The Ministry’s strategy to strengthen TVET through these partnerships highlights the need for adaptability and innovation. In a connected world, cooperation is essential to keep education systems relevant, inclusive, and effective. Bhutan’s engagement with developed partners like Germany and regional allies such as the Maldives reflects a balanced approach that draws on technical expertise while promoting knowledge exchange among countries with similar development contexts.

As Bhutan adapts its education system to a changing economic landscape, international collaboration will remain central to its TVET strategy. These partnerships serve as a model for reform and a catalyst for innovation, preparing Bhutanese youth with skills to succeed in a sustainable, knowledge-based economy. The MoESD’s work shows a clear commitment to building a vocational education system that meets global standards and is aligned with Bhutan’s values and development goals.