Five private sector bodies establish TVET Industry Council

KATHMANDU: Five representative private sector bodies in Nepal have established the TVET Industry Council (TIC) to align technical and vocational training with industry requirements and build a skilled workforce tailored to labour market demands.

The council was launched as a joint initiative by Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI), Federation of Contractors' Associations of Nepal (FCAN), Federation of Nepal Cottage and Small Industries (FNCSI), Federation of Woman Entrepreneurs' Associations of Nepal (FWEAN) and Hotel Association Nepal (HAN).

National Planning Commission member Reshu Aryal Dhungana, CNI President Birendra Raj Pandey, FNCSI President Shova Gurung, FWEAN President Darshana Shrestha, HAN President Binayak Shah and FCAN Deputy General Secretary Mangal Bahadur Shahi jointly inaugurated the council at an event in Kathmandu on Wednesday.

Registered with the Office of the Company Registrar, its primary objective is to create an industry-friendly technical education and vocational training environment by facilitating coordination between government authorities, business sectors, training institutions and other stakeholders.

The establishment comes as Nepal's vocational training sector faces major challenges, including a skill mismatch between training provision and market needs, limited employer involvement in policy governance, weak coordination and a lack of workplace learning opportunities. CNI President Birendra Raj Pandey stated that the council will work effectively to address these issues.

Speaking at the launch, Pandey noted that the council will link private sector needs across policy development, curriculum design, quality assurance and employment outcomes. Asking, "What is the market demand? What kind of skills and skilled manpower do industries need?", he added that the council will systematically gather information and recommendations from businesses regarding emerging employment sectors to inform relevant authorities.

Pandey expressed that the initiative was formed under the belief that "the stronger the relationship established between industry demand and the TVET system, the more skill development can result in employment, productivity and economic transformation."

Working alongside federal, provincial and local governments, educational providers, universities, commodity associations, sector skill committees and international development partners, the council will represent employers across policy formulation, planning, standards development, curriculum revision, certification, apprenticeship programmes and labour market research.

Ministry of Education and Sports General Secretary Jayaram Adhikari also addressed the gathering. CNI Director General Ghanashyam Ojha presented on the objectives of the council, followed by remarks from Professor Dr Ursula Renold and sector expert Dr Ram Hari Lamichhane.

The council will be governed by an 11-member board of directors featuring experts from the TVET and labour market sectors. Leadership will rotate among the founding organisations every two years, with the CNI President serving as the initial chairperson. Although established by five founding members, the council intends to incorporate additional private sector bodies over time.