Timor-Leste : Mid-Level Skills Training Project

Education / Technical and vocational education and training

The project aims to help fill the gap in mid-level skills training (levels 24) in construction and automotive trades by targeting and upgrading the strongest training providers to deliver training at higher than basic levels. Given past and ongoing assistance to basic education and basic skills training by other development partners, the project will focus its support on specific mid-level vocational skills training through SEFOPE. To implement mid-level skills training, the project will support the development of competency-based training standards and improve the quality of teaching staff. It will also facilitate the role of the private sector and strengthen the labor market information system (LMIS) to build demand-driven skills training that is relevant and responsive to the needs of the expanding Timorese economy.

The project is aligned with Timor-Leste's SDP and its focus on accelerated infrastructure and capacity development. The project is the first major step in the engagement by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in TVET in Timor-Leste, in accordance with the country partnership strategy (CPS) 20112015 and country operations business plan 20112013.9 As indicated in the CPS, ADB's extensive experience in TVET will assist the government in addressing skills shortages in infrastructure and other areas of the economy.

The project is also harmonized with assistance provided by other development partners. The Australian Agency for International Development and the International Labor Organization are major partners in the TVET subsector. Their support to the Youth Employment Promotion Program since 2008 led to the establishment of INDMO and the NQF. Other development partners in TVET include the European Commission, the Government of Brazil, and the Spanish International Cooperation. The project builds on previous and ongoing support in TVET and will be implemented in close cooperation with these development partners.

Timor-Leste has a skilled workforce with improved quality and higher levels of vocational training

The TVET system is enhanced with mid-level skills training that is relevant and responsive to labor market needs

Training of 47 teachers from 5 construction training centers has been completed as of October 2015, which was conducted by the State Polytechnic of Malang, Indonesia for diploma 2 programs in mechanical, civil, and engineering._All training in module formats was carried out in Timor-Leste instead of sending teachers to overseas.

Construction of Tibar Dormitory is in progress, but experiencing delay due to lack of materials.

Additional training center/partner, Senia-Becora, has now been included for support based on a partnership agreement with SEPFOPE. The center provides good quality construction skills training to a large number of young Timorese.

As of March 2016, about 1,000 students completed competency-based training programs in construction and automotive trades (levels 1-3), and about 500 students are currently enrolled in ongoing programs.

For mid-level trainees, training is also provided through industry partnerships, where industries provide on-the-job practical skills and accredited training programs.

1. Mid-level skills training delivered by selected public and private training providers

2. Improved technical capacity of teachers to deliver mid-level skills training

3. Enhanced labor market linkages of TVET programs

4. Strengthened SEFOPE financing and support for TVET

5. Efficient project implementation and management delivered by PMU

Outputs being delivered according to schedules.

Initial upgrading works for 3 training centers are complete; additional upgrading works for 4 training centers are ongoing.

a total of 357 students enrolled in certificate 1-2 training in 4 training providers (88 females); 390 students are now enrolled_for cert 1-3 in 2015 programs.

Female enrollment accounted for 21% in 2014 and 23% in 2015.

No female trainer yet.

Teacher training completed for approximately 40 trainers in construction and autmotive trades.

One additional training provider signed up for partnership agreement; 150 Oecusse students are being trained in Dili; additional training facilities are supported for upgrading and expanded training.

Scholarships and stipends for female trainees are being implementd from 2014.

Not yet due. Employer contracting specialist is working on contract formats and requirements.

No female trainer yet.

All consultants will be recruited according to ADB's Guidelines on the Use of Consultants.14 An estimated 751 person-months (93 international and 658 national) are anticipated to (i) develop skills standards, curricula, and technical teachers capacity; (ii) strengthen TVET policy and institutional capacity of training providers; (iii) improve the capacity of TVET technical staff; (iv) undertake TVET promotion activities and career guidance services; (v) strengthen the LMIS; and (vi) support project management. The outline terms of reference for all consulting services are in section E.

The International Labor Organization (ILO) will be engaged to provide 118 person-months (46 international and 72 national) of technical services for output 1 and part of output 2 through single-source selection (SSS). The justification for SSS is ILO's experience in establishing the existing framework for vocational education and training, developing skills standards at qualification levels 1-2, and the need for consistency and continuity at this early stage in the development of the TVET subsector in Timor-Leste.

Individual consultant selection (ICS) will be used to engage four international consultants, total estimated at 39 person-months, for (i) TVET policy and institution strengthening, (ii) TVET teaching staff development, (iii) LMIS development, and (iv) finance and procurement, and two national consultants for PMU managementteam leader and deputy/finance manager. ICS will follow government procedures acceptable to ADB. For the remaining consulting services, consulting firms will be engaged (i) for PMU support services using the quality-and cost-based selection (QCBS) method with a standard quality:cost ratio of 80:20 and (ii) for SEFOPE support services using consultants' qualifications selection (CQS). The finance and procurement specialist will support SEFOPE in the recruitment of key consultant positions, and train SEFOPE and PMU staff in managing recruitment process and contracts. An audit firm will be engaged by the least-cost selection (LCS) method to perform the annual audit of the project.

The project management unit (PMU) will be established by SEFOPE. Under the guidance of the project director, the PMU will be responsible for day-to-day project implementation; planning and budgeting; procurement; disbursement; monitoring; supervising and overseeing of implementation at the training provider level; and submitting the required reports to the government and the Asian Development Bank (ADB). The PMU will be supported by consultants.

The PMU will carry out the procurement of goods, works, and services under the project with the help of an international finance and procurement expert. The expert will assist in developing procurement capacity in the procurement department, which will be responsible for procurement processing on behalf of the executing agency.