One of the key highlight of the program was the GESI presentation made by the GESI focal points. SEECS created GESI representatives in all schools to spread GESI awareness and their schools have provided GESI friendly toilets, sanitary pads, childcare centers for women with babies, wheelchairs and transportation facilities to the students and staffs. The aim is to replicate to other CTEVT schools. 

The other key highlight of the event was the panel discussion on enhancing private sector engagement in the TVET system and the roles they can play to best support graduates to successfully move from training into work.

Panel members emphasized on the need for schools to increase partnership with the industry people for better job opportunities for graduates and said that it could be useful to replicate the learnings from our pilot project to other sectors in Nepal as well. The key conclusion of the panel discussion was that such projects are highly effective, and the panel members hoped for the continuation of the project in the future as well.  

Dr. Marco Gemmer, Head of Cooperation, Delegation of the European Union to Nepal, stated, “We started the EU- Nepal Practical Partnership for Technical Vocational Education and Training reform (TVET- PP) project right after the Earthquake and knew from the very beginning that our path would not be easy. But we have worked hard and tried to strengthen the TVET system in Nepal as per the needs of the local context because the solutions to any thematic area must be local.” 

Mr. Khagendra Prasad Adhikari, Vice Chairperson, CTEVT, shared that the major highlights of the SEECS project have been the engagement of the industry people by formulation of Employer Information Counselling Centers, leadership development, establishment of ICT labs and the development of Green Skills.  

Ms. Shahida MacDougall, Country Director, British Council Nepal said, “SEECS project has helped bridge the gap between schools and private sectors by identifying some key problems alongside their solutions and has helped increase employer engagement. Through this project, schools received trainings and modernized equipment, and this will help students learn better and help them with their careers.”

The program was attended by high level participants from the delegation of the European Union to Nepal, CTEVT officials, British Council, selected technical schools, private sector bodies, employers and graduates among others. 

The SEECS project was established by Dakchyata to address the joint challenges of unemployment and skills shortages in key sectors and support strengthening and implementation of employer engagement to establish policy, processes and practice in Nepal’s TVET sector. SEECS has focused on developing sustainable approaches for increasing the quality and relevance of the CTEVT school sector’s delivery and responsiveness to labour market needs and operated in three key industrial sectors: agriculture, tourism, and construction.