Govt projects to create 16,000 jobs in four years

Thimphu, July 6, 2009: The government projects ton create at least 16,000 jobs for jobseekers in the next four years, when the first elected government ends its tenure.

In a new study conducted by the Ministry of Labor and Human Resources said efforts are to be made to overcome the mismatch between skills and employment opportunities. The report said the country needs more than 6800 elementary workers by 2013. There are around 37,000 Indian nationals, excluding GREF and IMTRAT, engaged in elementary occupations in the country today.

The ministry said Bhutanese job seekers may not face the dearth of employment at least for the next four years. “It’s still a very optimistic indication of the availability of jobs,” said Labor Minister Dorji Wangdi.

These jobs will be created only in 119 major establishments in the service, manufacturing and construction sectors but excluded hydropower and information technology, along with small or medium private and corporate establishments which are also likely to create jobs.

Stating that country severely lacks skilled manpower, the report recommends that formal education be combined with work-based training, by strengthening career and counseling programs in all educational institutions.