Golchha Group, one of Nepal’s oldest industrial conglomerates, has partnered with the government-backed Enhanced Skills for Sustainable and Rewarding Employment (ENSSURE) project to implement an apprenticeship program aimed at bridging the gap between education and employment. ENSSURE, a bilateral initiative of the Governments of Nepal and Switzerland, focuses on enhancing the employability of Nepali youth through skills development and vocational training.
Issuing a recent statement, Golchha Group said the partnership was formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by Shekhar Golchha, chairman and managing director of Golchha Group, and Rabindra Bahadur Singh, team leader of the ENSSURE project. Under the agreement, both parties committed to providing practical training to apprentices, promoting lifelong learning through Skills Upgrading Training (SUT) for employees, incorporating green skills into the curriculum, and adhering to workplace safety and occupational health standards.
The initiative will follow the dual Vocational Education and Training (VET)-Apprenticeship model, a system that combines theoretical education in technical schools with hands-on training in industries, the statement added. Upon completing the program, apprentices will receive pre-diploma certification from the Council for Technical Education and Vocational Training (CTEVT), Golchha Group assured.
The dual VET-Apprenticeship model offers significant benefits: youths gain industry exposure, earn while they learn, and obtain recognized qualifications; employers see increased productivity from a skilled workforce; and the government can produce market-ready graduates with minimal investment in infrastructure.
“This collaboration represents our commitment to empowering Nepalese youth with the skills needed to thrive in today’s competitive job market,” the statement quoted Shekhar Golchha as saying. Rabindra Bahadur Singh echoed the sentiment, describing the partnership as a milestone in addressing Nepal’s workforce challenges while supporting the country’s economic progress.
Golchha Group, which operates over 100 companies across diverse sectors, aims to leverage the apprenticeship program to nurture talent and support Nepal’s industrial growth and economic development.
