Promoting Young Women in Employment in Pokhara

Approximately, 500,000 young people enter into the Nepalese labour market every year. Out of them, 80 percent are believed to be unskilled. The lack of opportunities for skill enhancement and employment is negatively affecting young women and men. A survey done in 2017 by the Ministry of Finance reveals that about 4.3 million youths have gone abroad for foreign employment through formal and informal channels. Among them, skilled workers stand at two percent, semi-skilled workers at 24 percent, and non-skilled workers stand at 74 percent.

The young people from disadvantaged families are less educated, less skilled and have fewer opportunities locally. Therefore, they make the largest segment of the migrant population. As they migrate, within and outside of the country, they become further vulnerable as they cannot find appropriate employment. Although the tourism sector records good prospects for employment, girls and young women fail to be employed in this sector. As Pokhara is a major tourism destination in Nepal, it offers employment to young people. Therefore, the project aims to impart marketable skills and prepare young women to utilize the emerging opportunities in the tourism sector.

Right4Children, in partnership with Plan International, is implementing the project in close coordination with private sector TVET providers such as Global Academy of Tourism and Hospitality Education (GATE College) and 3 Sisters Adventure Trekking Pvt. Ltd, GENIUS Multi Technical Institute, Lamjung Skill Development Foundation, Sukalpa international.

Goal

• Increased decent wage employment for young women in Pokhara.

Objective

• Young women are “work ready” by being adequately skilled and with relevant knowledge to pursue decent wage employment with focus on non-traditional occupations
• Employers in Pokhara offer decent wage employment opportunities
• Improved gender-sensitive and responsive enabling environment Improved functioning of labor market

HOW DO WE ACHIEVE OUR OBJECTIVES?

• Promoting skills and opportunities for the employment and entrepreneurship development through working with the government, private sector, Civil Society Organizations and employee’s organization;
• Working closely with the private sector in promoting opportunities for youth employment, and
• Collaborating with the private sector in ensuring decent work environment for the young people who are working.

KEY ACTIVITIES

1. Labor market study to identify the labor market demand and supply and existing gaps;
2. Market based vocational training and On the Job training for young women in different occupations;
3. Additional training such as life skills (with protection component), basic computer and English language skills;
4. Orientation on labor law and gender equality to the employers and private sectors actors in Tourism Sector;
5. Awareness campaigns on decent employment and gender equality;
6. Training to community members and parents of young women in gender equality;
7. Development of business case on employers who are empowering young women in their successful business and its dissemination to other private sector employers, and
8. Promotion on the agenda of decent work and gender equality among the private sector employers in Pokhara.

WHAT WILL BE OUR RESULTS?

WHAT TRADES ARE INCLUDED?

1. Early Childhood Development Facilitator (Montessori)
2. Account/ cashier
3. Sales and marketing
4. Mobile repair and maintenance
5. Computer repair and maintenance
6. Security guard
7. Light vehicle Driver
8. Assistant Trekking Guide
9. Front desk officer/Reception
10. Hospitality (Cook, Waiters, Housekeeping)