On the 19th July 2017, ADRA Myanmar’s SEAQE-TVET project was invited to participate in the first ‘Youth Skills for Development’ symposium in honour of the UN designated ‘World Youth Skills Day’ to raise awareness about the importance of skills development for youth.
The event, which will be established annually, comes about at a time when the improvements in the political and economic situation in Myanmar and the existing prospects for the return of people living in temporary shelters along the Thai-Myanmar border, has gained a central role in ensuring safe and dignified return for young refugees into the workforce.
The event was held in Maesot, Thailand at the Maesot Technical College. Organisations participating in the event included ADRA Thailand, ACTED, Maesot Technical College, OVEC, Tak Vocational, GTHS Hpa-an, and the European Union to name a few.
Speeches, panel discussions, videos and interactive booths were all on display to showcase various TVET based projects from Myanmar, Thailand and Cambodia as to what the students have learned, produced and how they are using their skills within the labour market.
Various topics discussed included; introductions to WYSD, building skills of marginalised youth, national approaches and transnational cooperation in regards to TVET, value of skills in improving livelihoods, and cooperation with Thai vocational schools on youth skills building in Myanmar.
10 students from GTHS Hpa-an along with the Advanced Sewing Trainer and GTHS Principal Dr Cho Yu Mon attended the event with ADRA Myanmar’s SEAQE Project Director William Po, SEAQE-TVET Business Development Officer Thura Maung and PR & Communications Officer Emma McCrow.
The cooperation between the attending organisations will call attention to the significance of enabling opportunities for skill building and growth in the next generation. Further coordination between OVEC and DTVET (for accreditation) will assist NGOs and Vocational colleges in providing technical skills to underprivileged populations such as the refugees, which increase their employability when they return to their home country.
Written By: Emma McCrow
Photo: © 2017 ADRA Myanmar | Emma McCrow
