The Department of Employment and Entrepreneurship is dedicated to promoting meaningful employment and entrepreneurship. The Department plays a crucial role in job creation, especially for the youth, guided by the National Employment Policy (NEP) of 2013. The NEP outlines strategies for accelerating employment growth, improving working conditions, and ensuring equal opportunities, all while addressing the need for a skilled workforce.

The Department focuses on providing services to match job demand and supply in the labor market. This includes offering quality job and talent-matching services using data from our labor market information system. The goal is to help new job seekers enhance their employability through engagement programs. Additionally, the Department promotes entrepreneurship as an alternative way to create jobs.

Vision: 
“A nation where its citizens have the opportunity for gainful and quality employment.”

Mission: 
Promote and facilitate gainful employment through the provision of effective employment, entrepreneurship, career guidance and labour market information support and services.

Value: “PULSE”

“PULSE” sets the rhythm of our department’s work!

With professionalism as our cornerstone, unwavering service delivery, empathy weaving our connections, camaraderie strengthening our bond, and endless passion, we’re a team dedicated to excellence in all we do.

Our values are:

P: Professionalism at its Core

U: Unwavering Service Delivery

L: Linked by Empathy

S: Strong Camaraderie

E: Endless Passion

Organogram

There are three divisions within the department:

1. Employment Service Division (ESD)
2. Labour Market Information and Career Guidance Division (LMICGD)
3. Entrepreneurship Promotion Division (EPD)

Director’s Office

The Director’s Office oversees the overall functioning of the department. It provides policy guidance and strategies that will accelerate employment growth, improve the quality of working conditions and provide equal employment opportunities, in accordance with the NEP (2013) and relevant policies.

Mandate & Objectives

• Ensure gainful employment opportunities through employment support and services;
• Spearhead, coordinate and facilitate employment creation through mechanisms such as the Employment Responsibility System (ERS);
• Foster and promote innovation, entrepreneurship, and self-employment opportunities;
• Enhance employability skills and placement of registered job seekers including persons with disabilities;
• Enhance employment advocacy & awareness;
• Provide career guidance services to job seekers;
• Enhance school-to-work transition programs;
• Enhance the collection and analysis of employment-related information through the integrated Bhutan Labour Market Information System(BLMIS);
• Initiate and undertake research on pertinent issues related to the labour market;
• Create a conducive environment for sustainable employment in collaboration with relevant stakeholders;
• Identifying training needs to develop competencies of professionals in the labour and employment field;
• Develop and implement HRD plan for the Department (annual and FYP).

1. Employment Service Division (ESD)

Guided by the  National Employment Policy (NEP) 2013, the Employment Service Division (ESD) is dedicated to offering services to employers, agents, employees, and job seekers to promote decent jobs that ensure productive work, wellbeing, and job satisfaction. The Division is guided by the Ministry’s vision to create opportunities for all the citizens for gainful and quality employment and facilitate the development of human resources that lead to sustainable livelihoods and economic prosperity. The Division’s priorities are informed by evidence-based policies, practices, and tools that reflect the needs of the industries, organizations, and workforce needs.

Overall Responsibilities of the Division are:

1. Develop strong evidence-based policy-making that ensures systems, practices, and tools catering to fulfilling the needs of the industries, organizations, agents, and the workforce;
2. To create productive employment opportunities in the country by ensuring a quality match between skills and jobs;
3. Spearhead and coordinate implementation and monitoring of the National Employment Policy;
4. Facilitate overseas employment where Bhutanese can find decent jobs in developed economies aimed at importing long term productive skills and work habits contributing towards socio-economic development;
5. Facilitate and support job seekers to gain knowledge and experience by providing placement and referral services through meaningful engagement in collaboration with the ESCs and other stakeholders;
6. Develop effective programs for both employers and job seekers;
7. Coordinate with agencies for employment creation through the Employment Responsibility System (ERS) using the 3Ps (Promote, Prepare and Place) approach promoting an integrated and shared responsibility;
8. Collect and analyze data related to employment and the labour market through an effective and integrated labour market information system;
9. Conduct employment advocacy & awareness;
10. Initiate and undertake research on pertinent issues related to the labour market in order to formulate evidence-based interventions;
11. Conduct monitoring and evaluation of employment-related programs and interventions;
12. Assist Labour Market Information and Career Guidance Division in providing career guidance and counseling, and the collection and analysis of labour market information.

The Division has 3 units:

1. Engagement Program Unit (EPU)
2. Overseas Employment Unit (OEU)
3. Employment Service Centre (ESC)

1. Engagement Program Unit (EPU)

• Participate in the policy, planning and the budgeting process and overall goal setting of the division and the Department;
• Develop and implement school-to-work transition programs for effective engagement of jobseekers to enhance their employability;
• Conduct monitoring and evaluation of employment-related programs to enhance  the effectiveness of interventions;
• Implement the Employment Responsibility System (ERS) using the 3Ps(Promote, Prepare and Place) approach in coordination with relevant sectors to promote an integrated and shared approach to employment facilitation and creation;
• Collaborate with and assist LMICGD to conduct employment related awareness and labour market information;
• Initiate and undertake research on pertinent issues related to the engagement programs in order to formulate evidence-based interventions.

2. Overseas Employment Unit (OEU)

• Carry out foreign demand analysis (including the authenticity of demands, welfare schemes of the employees and the minimum pay requirement as set by the Ministry) in line with the supply side capacity and the situation of the country;
• Facilitate overseas employment where Bhutanese can find decent jobs in developed economies aimed at importing long term productive skills and work habits contributing towards socio-economic development;
• Conduct thorough document verification and pre-departure briefing prior to the deployment of candidates overseas;
• Facilitate repatriation processes as and when necessary, ensuring a seamless transition back to the country and provide necessary reintegration support;
• Implement the National Reintegration Program(NRP) in collaboration with relevant stakeholders;
• Implement monitoring and evaluation procedures to scrutinize and enhance the efficiency of the program;
• Conduct research and assessment to generate evidence and information for program review and improvement;
• Monitor and evaluate the Registered Bhutanese Overseas Employment Agency (RBOEA) to ensure compliance with the Regulation on Employment of Bhutanese Overseas 2021 ( REBO).

3. Employment Service Centre (ESC)

• Facilitate referral and placement of suitable candidates as per the available vacancies;
• Provide employment related facilities and services;
• Compile and provide up-to-date job vacancies;
• Maintain up-to-date employment related data and information and submit reports as necessary;
• Assist jobseekers, training-seekers and employers to register in the Bhutan Labour Market Information System(BLMIS) and avail employment related services;
• Collaborate and assist LMICGD in initiating career related awareness and other programs;
• Provide career counseling services and career guidance information;
• Create awareness on employment related programs such as skills training, entrepreneurship training, engagement, Labour and Employment Act;
• Provide a platform for connecting talents to the labour market through organization of mini job fairs and on-the-spot recruitment;
• Provide one-stop-shop services for facilitating employment and related information and services.

4. Labour Market Information and Career Guidance Division (LMICGD)

The National Employment Policy (NEP) of 2013 highlights the need to assess employment trends around the country, examine problems of the informal sector and propose measures to solve the issues identified through various job prospectuses. It also highlights the integration of career guidance and counselling in schools and institutes to understand and promote the requirements of the labour market. Therefore, the Labour Market Information and Career Guidance Division (LMICGD) was created under the Department of Employment and Entrepreneurship to analyse the labour market to identify trends, opportunities and challenges and empower individuals to make informed decisions about their career. The Division is mandated to provide career guidance and counselling services  as per the National Strategy on Career Guidance 2022.

Overall Responsibilities of the Division are:

1. Conduct research on national employment and labour market issues, and trends particularly research directed to generating information for policy formulation and preparing new programs and projects;
2. Develop a consolidated system for sharing and disseminating information in close collaboration with other stakeholders involved in the collection and compilation of labour and employment information. The system shall be the recognised focal point for labour and employment information;
3. Manage and update Employer-Employee Registration (EER) particularly information concerning the profiling, composition, and levels and trends in employment and retrenchment;
4. Conduct surveys and coordinate data related to labour market needs and forecasting to support development of relevant policies, programs and reports;
5. Manage and coordinate the Bhutan Labour Market Information System (BLMIS) to ensure timely and reliable data and information on TVET, foreign workers, employment and other aspects of the labour market;
6. Conduct surveys, tracers and provide M&E support to DoEE programs;
7. Assist individuals, businesses, policy makers and other stakeholders make informed decisions about employment and the workforce through the publication of Labour Market Information Bulletin, Labour Market Information Guide for Job Seekers, Career and Occupation Dictionary and other related articles;
8. Conduct career guidance interventions and advocacy and awareness programs to make informed decisions about their education and career;
9. Develop career guidance materials based on best practices and research materials.
10. Develop different approaches and build capacities to deliver programs such as advocacies on employment opportunities, job placement, consultations and referrals;
11. Liaise and coordinate with school guidance counselors and Counselling Division of the Department of Education Program (DEP)  to share updated career guidance and updated labour market information;
12. Participate in the policy, planning and the budgeting process and overall goal setting of the division and the Department.

The Division has two Units.

1. Labour Market Information and Research Unit(LMIRU)
2. Program and Career Guidance Unit (PCGU)

1. Labour Market Information and Research Unit  (LMIRU)

The LMIRU plays a crucial role in helping individuals, businesses, policy makers and other stakeholders make informed decisions about employment and the workforce. The key mandates of the LMIRU include:

• Collect, compile and maintain data related to labour market information, on employment levels, job vacancies, skills in demand, and economic trends;
• Conduct research and surveys on employment and other labour market trends to support policy formulation, project implementation and program development;
• Conduct in-depth analysis of labour market data to identify trends, opportunities and challenges;
• Assist employers and industries to plan for their workforce needs by providing insights into future labour market demands and supply;
• Disseminate labour market information to the public, including job seekers, and employers through reports, publications, websites, and other communication channels;
• Coordinate and manage the Bhutan Labour Market Information System (BLMIS) to ensure accurate, timely and reliable data on employment, foreign workers, unemployment and other key labour market indicators;
• Conduct tracer study, assessment and M&E support to Department programs.

2. Program and Career Guidance Unit (PCGU)

The PCGU is responsible for empowering individuals to make informed decisions about their education and career, maximise their potential, and achieve their personal and professional goals. The key mandates of the PCGU includes:

•  
• Develop career guidance materials based on best practices and research to create user-friendly and valuable career information;
• Establish a comprehensive career guidance framework to create career planning tools in collaboration with relevant stakeholders to develop career related programs;
• Provide individual and group career counselling services to jobseekers, assisting them in exploring various career and employment options;
• Maintain a repository of information on education, training, employment opportunities, skills requirements for career progression and collaborate with school guidance counsellors and other relevant stakeholders to disseminate career guidance and labour market information through various innovative channels;
• Conduct advocacy and awareness programs in schools and institutions to inform students, trainees, faculties, jobseekers, parents and other target groups on the employment and training opportunities;
• Develop and implement other innovative employment and career-related programs such as job fairs, GOWA, etc in collaboration with the ESCs;
• Develop different approaches and build capacities to deliver programs such as advocacies on employment opportunities, job placement, consultations and referrals.

3. Entrepreneurship Promotion Division (EPD)

The Department is mandated to promote creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurship culture in the country. To achieve the above mandate, focus is given to encouraging self-employment through entrepreneurship development training, entrepreneurship events and facilitation and support to new start-ups in collaboration with the relevant agencies. Entrepreneurship is the catalyst for economic development in any country and is considered as one of the key solutions in tackling unemployment issues through self-employment and import substitution which is made possible by formation of ventures concerned with production of goods & services. The Entrepreneurship Promotion Division (EPD) is committed to nurturing the entrepreneurial ethos in Bhutan. Its main goal is to shift mindsets and promote self-employment through extensive entrepreneurship development training. The division organizes impactful events and collaborates with relevant agencies to support innovative infrastructure projects, all aimed at fostering a culture of entrepreneurship.

The EPD through its two Units (Entrepreneurship Development and Acceleration Unit (EDAU) and Startup and Incubation Unit (SIU)) focuses on building entrepreneurship culture through capacity building, enhancing entrepreneurship events and supporting infrastructure development such as Fablabs and Business Incubation Centers.

Overall Responsibilities of the Division:

1. Promote creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurial culture through capacity building, events, and infrastructural support;
2. Conduct entrepreneurship trainings;
3. Promote entrepreneurship education in TVET institutes, colleges and schools;
4. Develop and implement the National Entrepreneurship Strategy;
5. Enhance the quality and professional development of entrepreneurship programs
6. Facilitate critical skills development of the entrepreneurs;
7. Develop start-up and business acceleration programs for the entrepreneurs;
8. Conduct research and development on entrepreneurship;
9. Develop and provide mentoring, coaching, and advisory services to entrepreneurs;
10. Coordinate and organise startup events to encourage ideation;
11. Promote entrepreneurship awareness;
12. Collaborate and network with entrepreneurship promotion agencies for support at the national, regional, and international level;
13. Provide end-to-end support to entrepreneurs in collaboration with other stakeholders;
14. Overall operation and management of the Startup Centers/ Business Incubation Centers/FabLabs;
15. Participate in the policy, planning and the budgeting process and overall goal setting of the division and the Department.

The Division has two Units.

1. Entrepreneurship Development and Acceleration Unit (EDAU)
2. Startup and Incubation Unit (SIU)

1. Entrepreneurship Development and Acceleration Unit (EDAU)

The Entrepreneurship Development and Acceleration Unit (EDAU) is responsible for building entrepreneurship culture through entrepreneurship training, business acceleration programs and promotion of startup events.

The following are the responsibilities of the Unit:

• Develop plans and programs to promote creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurial culture through capacity building and startup events;
• Lead the design, planning and implementation of entrepreneurship development through trainings and startup events that encourage ideations and innovation;
• Coordinate and implement programs to promote entrepreneurship education in TVET institutes, colleges and schools;
• Develop and implement the National Entrepreneurship Strategy in coordination with key stakeholders;
• Enhance the quality and professional development of entrepreneurship programs;
• Collaborate and network with entrepreneurship promotion agencies for provision of end-to-end support to entrepreneurs at the national, regional, and international level;
• Conduct research and development on entrepreneurship to identify areas of innovation and growth;
• Develop start-up and business acceleration programs (critical skills development, guidance and mentorship) for the entrepreneurs;
• Identify, monitor and report on innovation trends and business opportunities within the market;
• Research, review, and analyse the effectiveness and efficiency of the recommended strategies for enhancing growth of start-ups;
• Collect and report up to date information on entrepreneurship programs and support.

2. Startup and Incubation Unit (SIU)

The Startup and Incubation Unit (SIU) will focus on creating a nurturing environment for entrepreneurs to develop business ideas as well as personal development. The role of the Unit is to ensure effective coordination and management of the Startup and Incubation Centers and to deliver quality services to aspiring entrepreneurs. The role is to ensure the success of incubators by delivering on the commitment to support economic development through the provision of affordable space and enabling an environment for promotion and growth of entrepreneurs.

The following are the responsibilities of this Unit:

• Develop and provide incubation and Fab-Lab support services and infrastructure for the entrepreneurs;
• Develop and provide business incubation services (mentoring, coaching, and advisory services) to the incubates;
• Liaise, support and collaborate with Business Incubation Centres established in institutes and colleges to ensure their vibrancy and sustainability;
• Guide and facilitate support services to incubators and incubates for further development and acceleration;
• Facilitate and support the entrepreneurs to acquire information and services for their business ideas and processes;
• Organize and provide platforms for product launch and investments, facilitate marketing and access to finance and other business development services;
• Facilitate and support Research and Development (R&D) of the incubates;
• Overall administration and management of the centres;
• Manage and track the status of requirements of the startups throughout the project lifecycle; enforce and redefine as necessary;
• Review, analyze and evaluate business proposals from the interested startups;
• Generate reports on the startups center activities and incubates.