DUSHANBE, November 10, 2015, Asia-Plus -- The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $32 million project to promote a demand-driven, quality-assured, and flexible technical and vocational education and training (TVET) delivery system in Tajikistan.

According to the ADB Tajikistan Resident Mission (TJRM), the project will help modernize the TVET system by developing industry-endorsed standards, and competency-based training and assessment tools for 17 priority occupations.  The project will upgrade physical learning and teaching facilities in 29 TVET institutions and will also strengthen governance and management and improve access to quality programs.

The project will benefit the two-thirds of the labor force who need more marketable skills, including returning migrants, rural residents, and women.  Students will obtain competitive technical certifications from improved TVET courses, as well as internships and links to private firms.

The ADB financing reportedly includes a $15 million grant and a $15 million concessional loan from its Asian Development Fund.  In addition, ADB will administer a $2 million grant from the multidonor Clean Energy Fund under the Clean Energy Financing Partnership Facility.  The project will run for 5 years with an expected completion in 2021.  The Ministry of Labor, Migration, and Employment will be the executing agency.

Tajikistan joined ADB in 1998. To date, ADB has approved total assistance of over $1.3 billion in concessional loans, grants, and technical assistance to the country.  The ADB-Tajikistan partnership has promoted social development, upgraded and built new infrastructure, expanded agricultural production, developed the microfinance market, and encouraged regional cooperation and trade under the CAREC Program.