In a show of strong cooperation and solidarity with the aspirations of CPSC, the government of the Kingdom of Bhutan, through the Department of Human Resources (DHR), Ministry of Labor and Human Resources (MoLHR), Bhutan, actively collaborated with CPSC in organizing the In-Country Program on Training Course Design and Development from October 15 to 19, 2012 held at the NRDCL Conference Hall, Thimphu, Bhutan. In demonstration of its full support to the program, no less than the Labor Minister His Excellency Lyonpo Dorji Wangdi and the Honorable Secretary, Dasho Pema Wangda graced the special events to officially inaugurate and conclude the program.

His Excellency Lyonpo Wangdi conveyed his sincere gratitude to CPSC for conducting the program and to the Resource Persons as well as the participants. The Minister shared how the government of Bhutan put emphasis on the importance of enhancing TVET systems in the country to be able to produce skilled workers for the advancement of the market economy of Bhutan as well as ensuring lifelong learning opportunities for TVET graduates.

The Hon. Secretary Wangdi on the other hand, expressed that CPSC’s program is indeed relevant to the needs of the country in view of upgrading the quality standards of training institutions of the country, considering Bhutan’s huge allocation for human resources development programs in order to achieve socio-economic progress. He said that he believes that the program would truly benefit new instructors and senior instructors of training institutions in the country. In this light he encouraged all the participants to share whatever learnings, best practices and experiences they would gain from the program with their colleagues.

Officials from the different departments of the government of Bhutan also attended the program events to show their cooperation for the program such as the Departments of Occupational Standards (DOS), Department of Employment, Department of Labor, Program, Planning and Development and some Principals from training institutions.

The program dealt with the following key components: Overview of Training Course Development in TVET; Training Needs Analysis Fundamentals, Principles and Applications in TVET Sector; Training Needs Analysis – Models, Techniques and Process; Designing Training Course in TVET; Evaluation of Training Course; Concept of Quality Auditing on Training delivery; and Initiatives and Strategies for Training Course Development in the context of Bhutan. The program also provided some tools and technique on action planning for a training program in TVET system.

The program’s well organized implementation was under the helm of Dr. Mohammad Naim Yaakub, CPSC Director General, as Program Supervisor together with Engr. Md. Jahangir Alam, Faculty Specialist, who acted as Program Coordinator and Resource Person. On the other hand, Mr. Sangay Dorji, Chief Program Officer, Training and Professional Service Division, DHR, MoLHR, assisted in the local arrangements for the program as Local Coordinator.

Local Resource Persons comprised of Mr. Sangay Dorjee, Director, DHR, MoLHR and Mr. Tandin Dorji, Chief Program Officer, Quality Assurance Division, Department of Occupational Standard, MoLHR shared their insights on some initiatives and strategies in training course development in the context of Bhutan.

Study visits were also made to some relevant institutions in Bhutan such as the National Institute of Zorig Chusum (NIZC), a public institution for arts and crafts courses and the Niche Institute of Management and Technology (NIMT) which is a private training institution.

The program provided awareness, resources, ideas and strategies, knowledge on approaches and innovation, techniques and methods, best practices and models in training course design to 29 participants who are involved in training and development to meet the learning needs of the various institutions/organizations using training techniques, facilitation, and development activities in TVET system.

The participants in one of the sessions.
The participants’ visit to the National Institute of Zorig Chusum (NIZC).