On July 4, 2024, the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation (MoEWRI) and the Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology (MoEST) made an agreement to initiate work-based skill training (apprenticeship) programs. The agreement was signed by the Honorable Ministers, Mr. Shakti Bahadur Basnet of MoEWRI, and Ms. Sumana Shrestha of MoEST, witnessed by the secretaries of the respective ministries and the Member Secretary of CTEVT.

The main objectives of the agreement are to facilitate the production of skilled human resources and enhance the professional and occupational competencies of youth, making them employed or self-employed. Among the 12 responsibilities outlined for the MoEWRI, the major duties include providing information about the ministry’s project related sectors and occupations to develop the apprenticeship curriculum, providing data to CTEVT about the sectors and demand for apprentices, managing apprenticeship program as per the developed curricula, incorporating provisions for hiring apprentices in project documents, coordinating, cooperating and facilitating for the employment of apprentices, and providing financial support for training.

Similarly, the MoEST’s major responsibilities include facilitating CTEVT in developing and revising the curriculum with provisions for imparting the theoretical classes on mobile basis, ensuring regular monitoring and supervision of ongoing training programs to assure quality, and facilitating and promoting the employment of the graduates.

CTEVT is the implementing body of the agreement, tasked with developing and revising curricula, implementing the training programs, conducting assessment and evaluation, and certifying the apprentices. Progress will be shared quarterly in the coordination meetings, with the final review held one month before the end of fiscal year. Both ministries have agreed to appoint a focal person to coordinate and implement the agreement effectively.