Delivering Vocational Training and Employment Services for targeted Youths under Rural Enterprises and Remittances Project, SAMRIDDHI

Action for Development (AfD) Pvt. Ltd. provided expertise in the project Delivering Vocational Training and Employment Services for Targeted Youths under Rural Enterprises and Remittances Project, SAMRIDDHI. The project aimed at enhancing the skills and employability of participants through a comprehensive curriculum that combined technical and soft skills training. The Training took place in Morang, Sunsari, Bara, and Rautahat Districts for 260 participants. The training was conducted in trades like, Junior Plumber, Building Painter, Brick-Layer Mason,  and Village Animal Health Worker.

Training Activities:
The training was structured to follow a multi-pronged intervention approach, aligning with market needs and ensuring job placements for graduates. The curriculum, developed according to the Council for Technical Education and Vocational Training (CTEVT) guidelines, included both theoretical and practical sessions with a practical/theory ratio of 80:20. Detailed daily lesson plans, handouts, and other required training materials were prepared to facilitate effective learning.

Participant Engagement:
A significant emphasis was placed on gender and social inclusion (GESI). The selection process prioritized women, and disadvantaged groups from the Eastern Development Regions. This approach was essential in addressing societal norms that often discourage these groups from participating in skill training programs.

Monitoring and Evaluation:
Regular and periodic monitoring was conducted to ensure the effectiveness of the training. This included awareness sessions, counseling, training management, documentation, practical activities, and post-training support. Feedback from the project monitoring team was utilized to make continuous improvements. Various reports, such as inception reports, commencement reports, monthly reports, cycle completion reports, and project completion reports, were submitted as per the project guidelines.

Post-Training Support:
Post-training activities included guidance, coaching, and counseling to support both employed and self-employed graduates. We helped establish a link and registered our trained participants for the Shramdhan Rojgar Mela (a job fair) being held in Koshi province, and conducted meetings with the employers at the district level to explore job opportunities for our graduates.  Additionally, linkages with financial institutions were established to support graduates in starting their own businesses or enterprises.

Outcomes:
The training program successfully produced semi-skilled crafts persons capable of performing trade-related tasks within the community and abroad. The employment linkage component was a success as we were tasked with recording the 3 and 6-month income generating data of the project beneficiaries. This data was verified by RERP and it indicates that out of 260 participants, 86% of them got employment after the training completion.

Conclusion:
The training program by AfD has made significant strides in improving the skills and employability of its participants. The multi-faceted approach, combined with robust monitoring and post-training support, has ensured that graduates are well-prepared for the job market. Continued efforts in financial linkages, employer engagement, and continuous improvement will further enhance the program’s impact and sustainability.