Training on TVET institution management and improvement to promote agroforestry products in Timor-Leste

© ILO

© ILO

DILI, Timor-Leste (ILO News) - Held from 21-25 October 2024, the workshop provided participants from the agroforestry sector with a deep dive into systematic management approaches for TVET, and internal management equipping them with the practical skills needed to meet the challenges of an evolving labour market and the future of work and the national TVET plan.

The workshop welcomed 27 participants from key TVET institutions offering agroforestry and agriculture courses, including CNEFP Tibar, Hiam Health, STVJ (Gleno), Centro Dezenvolvimento Comunitaria (CDC) Baucau, Escola Tecnica Agricola (ETA) Don Bosco Fuiluoo, ESTV Aileu, Pro-EMA, Claretiano Treining Center (CTC) Salele – Suai, Fundasaun Many Hands One Nation (MAHON), Cablaqui Community Development Centre (CCDC) Manufahi, AMK-TL, Corluli Centre, and SEFOPE, INDMO, as the policy makers. Together, they explored strategies to better align TVET offerings with the market demand, and how to stimulate demand on skilled agriculture workers.

One of the strongest outcomes is developing internal demand-driven processes and strengthening financial capabilities.

Noemie Razafimandimby, trainer of the ITCILO

Noemie Razafimandimby, the trainer from the ITCILO, emphasized the workshop’s aim of empowering TVET stakeholders to enhance their institutional management processes. “One of the strongest outcomes is developing internal demand-driven processes and strengthening financial capabilities,” said Noemie who also identified several critical challenges in agroforestry and agricultural training programme uncovered during the sessions, particularly the need for reinvestment in human resources and access to modernized equipment. “Many vocational training institutions struggle with financing, accreditation process guarantee of the training programme quality, and activation processes,” she explained, stressing the need for targeted improvements in these areas.

Participants reflected positively on the training experience. Vicente M. Belo, Director of CDC-Baucau, shared, "This training has given us better ideas on how to develop young people's skills for the labour market. We also learned effective management practices and how to prepare human resources in our centers. The financial management component, particularly learning about fundraising through projects like coco peat processing, was invaluable in helping us reduce dependence on donors."

This training has given us better ideas on how to develop young people's skills for the labour market. We also learned effective management practices and how to prepare human resources in our centers.

Vicente M. Belo, Director of CDC-Baucau

Similarly, Dwi Novi Lestari, Programme Manager at Mahon Training Center, expressed her newfound inspiration, stating, “We now have a clearer understanding of how TVET institutions should operate, how to match training with market demand, and how to foster employment diversity. TVET management is complex, but this workshop helped us understand our mission and core processes."

The Agroforestry Skills for Employment and Resilience Project, managed by the International Labour Organization (ILO), focuses on enhancing agroforestry skills in TVET institutions across Timor-Leste. It promotes business development opportunities to increase income and revenue, with a particular emphasis on coconut, vanilla, and cocoa value chains. This workshop marks a significant step toward strengthening the country's TVET institutions and ensuring that they are equipped to meet the demands of Timor-Leste’s growing and diversified economy.