NEWS / EVENTS
USAID/Nepal launches website to link the labor market with potential employers
April 13, 2009
Kathmandu - Beth S. Paige, the Director of the U.S. Agency for International Development in Nepal (USAID/Nepal) and Kush Kumar Joshi, the President of Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), launched a website, "
www.jobsfirst.org.np" designed to increase youth's access to quality jobs by linking training providers, employers, and youth. The website is part of USAID/Nepal's Education for Income Generation (EIG) Program, which seeks to train disadvantaged and conflict-affected youth for employment in fifteen mid-western districts of Nepal.
USAID's EIG program is providing integrated training on literacy, life skills, vocational education, agriculture, and targeted scholarships for up to 70,000 youth over a five year period.
After receiving basic training in reading, record keeping, simple arithmetic, life skills and entrepreneurship, the trainees can choose to receive advanced-level training in vocational education or agriculture or leave for jobs/self-employment. Vocational education includes trainings in masonry, electrical wiring, motorcycle repairing and beautician services.
"USAID is providing this free training for disadvantaged youth under the age of 30 from conflict affected communities. As enrollment of students is tailored to meet market demands, almost 80 percent of the trainees in the vocational education program are hired upon graduation. A significant number of the trainees are women. Women are emerging as a powerful part of Nepal's workforce because of the massive migration of men," said Beth S. Paige at the event.
The Jobsfirst website is expected to support USAID's EIG program by providing a tool for youth to find suitable jobs or become entrepreneurs. "The 'jobsfirst' website was developed in collaboration with FNCCI and is reflective of our commitment to work with the private sector to stimulate economic growth, develop businesses and workforces, and expand access to education and technology," Ms. Paige added. FNCCI will administer the site and endeavor to affiliate all FNCCI members in the long run.
The website will accept vacancy notices for jobs requiring minimal education levels of up to but below a School Level Certificate (SLC). The types of jobs advertised include furniture makers, electricians, plumbers, masons, and jewelry makers. The web site also contains space for listing occupational trainings and categorizes job market opportunities by area, job/position, training needs and training courses per specific program area.
USAID's five-year $14.6 million EIG program began in 2008 and is being implemented by Winrock International and its partner organizations.
Public Affairs Section
Embassy of the United States of America
G. P.O. Box 295
Maharajgunj, KATHMANDU, NEPAL
Tel: 977-1-4007200 Ext. 4349
Fax: 977-1-4007280
http://nepal.usembassy.gov
|
U.S. Agency for International Development
G.P.O. Box 295
Maharajgunj, KATHMANDU, NEPAL
Tel: 977-1-4007200 Ext. 4263
Fax 977-1-4007285
http://nepal.usaid.gov
|
