26 years old, Chogyel Lhamo traveled all the way from Ura to Chumey, Bumthang to attend the 11th GOWA. The recent talk show on “GOWA ” broadcasted on National television had piqued her interest and she wanted to experience the event first hand despite having to travel for more than one and half hours to reach the event location.

“I did not know that there were so many opportunities for out-of-school job seekers like me” shared Chogyel who was now determined to apply for the job vacancies and get herself enrolled in training floated through the Bhutan Labour Market Information System (BLMIS) which is an online portal catering to the needs of the talents searching for labour market opportunities.Like Chogyel, there are many youths who are not aware of the labour market opportunities available for them. The 11th GOWA was targeted to orient the trainees at the Technical Training Institute, Chumey, who will be graduating towards the end of May, and also to the talents residing in Bumthang Dzongkhag.

19 years old Dendup Limbu who was enrolled in Traditional Arts Construction Carpentry felt hopeful of getting employed after completing the training through the on-the-spot recruitment carried out by the Ministry. “I carefully assessed the vacancies and applied in my area of interest. I am hopeful of getting employed”, Dendup shared.

The participants were taken through various aspects of the labour market. They were informed on various opportunities and services like the Youth Engagement and Livelihood Program (YELP), Overseas Employment Program, Entrepreneurship training , and Skills training available. Such opportunities enable talents to enter the job market.They were also oriented towards the laws and regulations concerning employment and working conditions. They learned about the rights of an employee, job security, and working conditions guaranteed to them by the Labour and Employment Act 2007 and its Regulations.

Services can be availed online through the Ministry’s website. The online systems were demonstrated to the participants. Built into the Bhutan Labour Market Information System (BLMIS), the online system caters to the job portal, foreign worker recruitment, upcoming training in entrepreneurship and skilling, and TVET registration.

Presiding the event, the Director General for the Department of Employment and Entrepreneurship (DoEE), Aum Kunzang Lhamu, informed the gathering on the importance of taking part in skilling programs. She expressed how proud she was of the youths getting themselves skilled in various fields.

She informed the participants that opportunities abound where job seekers can first look at getting skilled to meet the requirements of the job vacancies in the labour market.

11 Specialized firms submitted vacancies for the on-the-spot recruitment in carpentry, masonry, and welding fields. More than 50 job seekers registered for the vacancies available. These job seekers will be interviewed in the coming days.

This is the 11th GOWA event organized by the Department of Employment and Entrepreneurship, Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Employment at the TTI, Chumey, Bumthang on 13th May 2023. The event was attended by more than 100 youths comprising SDP trainees in masonry, carpentry, welding and youths from Bumthang Dzongkhag who were mostly class 10 and 12 graduates. The logistics for the event was supported by TTI, Chumey.