MANILA, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the government of Timor-Leste signed on Friday a 3-million-U.S.-dollar grant agreement to support workforce skills development in the country.
The agreement aimed at strengthening the technical and vocational education and training (TVET) system and better aligning it with labor market needs to promote inclusive economic growth and poverty reduction.
The grant will finance the Workforce Skills Development Project, which seeks to upgrade educational tools and learning environments at selected TVET institutions, particularly in priority occupations such as construction, automotive, and mechanics.
Under the project, curricula and certification systems for secondary and post-secondary TVET programs will be harmonized to ensure closer alignment with industry requirements.
It will also introduce demand-driven short courses tailored for out-of-school youth and adults, helping graduates gain practical skills and access income-generating opportunities.
A strong emphasis will be placed on gender equality and social inclusion, ensuring that women and marginalized groups have equitable access to industry-relevant training and skills development programs.
The grant agreement was signed in Dili, the capital of Timor-Leste, by its Minister of Finance, Santina Viegas Cardoso, and ADB Country Director for Timor-Leste Stefania Dina. ■