(KPL) To enhance Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in Laos, the governments of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) and Federal Republic of Germany have officially launched phase 3 of the Vocational Education in Laos (VELA) project. In line with the policy priorities of the Ministry of Education and Sports (MoES), the project will upscale the Dual-Cooperative Training (DCT)-approach nationwide, supporting more than 10 TVET institutions. DCT promotes the collaboration of between public and private organisations, enhancing labour market-oriented TVET.
The TVET Law of 2019 incorporates DCT into the education system. Its market orientation strengthens sustainable economic growth. Samlane Phankhavong, Vice-Minister of Education and Sports, summarised the importance of the project: "DCT integrates theoretical and basic practical training in the schools with on-the-job training in the companies. This training model allows the students to develop the necessary skills and confidence to perform their profession independently from the very beginning of their career."
Mrs. Nicole Stechmann, Chargée d‘affaires of the German Embassy to the Lao PDR, mentioned that, in the past years, four TVET colleges in Champasak, Luang Prabang, Vientiane and Vientiane Province have been offering DCT courses, primarily in the fields of agriculture, electrical, automative and hospitality. They have been collaborating with more than 150 local private companies to offer TVET students the opportunity to get real-live practical work experience. 
VELA III will also emphasize “greening” TVET, focusing on training teachers in energy and resource efficiency and ecological practices. In 2024, a new module on sustainable hotel and gastronomy management has been launched and is available for free on "Atingi", a module based online learning platform currently utilized by the Vocational Education Development Institute (VEDI). The project will also prioritize technical and vocational education and training (TVET) for women, with a focus on delivering DCT courses in trades that appeal specifically to them.
The career guidance tool OASA (Occupational Aptitude Self-Assessment) was launched at the Dual-cooperative-Training - Service Center (DCT SC) at the Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LNCCI) in 2023 as part of the project. This tool will support Lao youth in exploring TVET professions and career paths aligned with their interests and talents.
VELA III commenced in August 2024 and will be implemented until July 2027. Germany through the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) is contributing EUR 5 million to this joint project.