𝐂𝟒𝐒𝐖 𝐎𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐎𝐛𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐜𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐓𝐨 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐞 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧’𝐬 𝐒𝐤𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐝 𝐋𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐫 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐭

…𝑪4𝑺𝑾 𝒕𝒂𝒄𝒌𝒍𝒆𝒔 𝒇𝒊𝒏𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒊𝒂𝒍 𝒉𝒖𝒓𝒅𝒍𝒆𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒑𝒂𝒓𝒕𝒊𝒄𝒊𝒑𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒏𝒈𝒆𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒏𝒆𝒄𝒕 𝒔𝒌𝒊𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒅 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒌𝒆𝒓𝒔 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒈𝒓𝒐𝒘𝒕𝒉 𝒐𝒑𝒑𝒐𝒓𝒕𝒖𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒆𝒔

By Sonam Choden

The Department of Labour (DoL) under the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, and Employment (MoICE) launched the Community for Skilled Workers (C4SW) initiative with the aim of transforming Bhutan’s workforce, empowering skilled labor, and enhancing economic resilience. While the vision of this platform is promising, its success depends on navigating significant hurdles that have emerged since its inception.

C4SW’s mission is grounded in the core values of affordability, service quality, safety, professionalism, unity, reliability, and excellence, all embodied in the acronym ASSURE. The platform’s goal is to foster skilled workers, drive service excellence, and improve access to employment opportunities across the country. However, despite these well-established principles, the road to achieving these objectives has been far from smooth.

Yulkham Geley, the Chairperson of C4SW, acknowledges the challenge of unemployment in Bhutan and highlights the initiative as a solution to this ongoing issue. The platform’s alignment with Bhutan’s broader economic goals of job creation and strengthening local workforce capabilities is clear, but its long-term impact will depend on overcoming early-stage challenges.

Sonam Dorji, an electrician, reveals the difficulties faced in the platform’s initial phase, citing a limited number of members and concerns about the platform’s viability. “The initial phase of the initiative was challenging,” Dorji explains. “We were uncertain about its future, especially with the financial struggles surrounding it.” The lack of adequate funding and the uncertainty surrounding its long-term success are key concerns for those involved in the initiative.

Nima Dorji, the Head of the Welfare, Loan, and Dispute Resolution Unit, further emphasizes that securing the necessary budget to acquire essential equipment for workers is crucial. “Access to proper tools is fundamental to the quality of work and the safety of our workers,” says Nima. This financial struggle and uncertainty about resources threaten to undermine the platform’s ability to meet the expectations of both workers and clients.

While the initiative’s focus on enhancing Bhutan’s skilled workforce is commendable, its success heavily relies on the active participation of skilled workers. Nima Dorji Underlines the importance of consistent worker engagement to maintain the credibility and operational effectiveness of C4SW. “The continued participation of skilled workers is key to upholding high service standards and ensuring that the platform attracts and retains clients,” he explains.

The platform’s service standards are crucial in fostering a reliable service for consumers. Workers are expected to maintain professionalism, offer six-month service warranties, and meet strict service delivery timelines. These high standards are vital to building public trust in C4SW, yet the platform’s ability to maintain these standards as it grows remains uncertain.

Although C4SW does not provide formal training, it integrates On-the-Job Training (OJT) students, like Pema Zangmo from the Technical Training Institute at Khuruthang, into its operations. Pema reflects on her growth: “At first, I struggled with identifying the correct wiring connection. But now, I am confident in reading schematics and connecting circuits properly.” The OJT program offers valuable hands-on experience, but the program’s ability to fill the gap in formal skill-building programs is limited.

Sonam Dorji, who also values the hands-on experience, points out that while the OJT program is beneficial, more investment in formal training is needed to address the skills gap in Bhutan. Workers like Dorji argue that ongoing skill development is essential for professional success and for meeting the growing demands of the labor market.
C4SW connects skilled workers to clients, ensuring fair pricing, high-quality service, and a professional approach.

However, as Damcho Wangchuk, an engineer, highlights, the platform’s reliance on its website and membership model will only be effective if workers consistently deliver the high standards expected. “The website offers various services that make it easier for clients to find skilled workers, but workers must uphold their end of the bargain,” Wangchuk notes.

The membership model, which grants skilled workers a C4SW Membership Card, is designed to boost their credibility, but the platform’s long-term sustainability will depend on securing enough funding for resources and training programs. The integration of credit access for start-ups, skill upgrading, and continued collaboration with government bodies will be essential to keep the platform running smoothly.

While the C4SW initiative promises to revolutionize nation’s workforce and contribute to economic growth, its future remains uncertain. Financial constraints, the need for consistent worker participation, and the challenges of maintaining high service standards are all factors that will determine whether the platform can fulfill its vision.

For C4SW to succeed, it must secure adequate funding, expand its resources, and ensure that workers remain committed to maintaining its reputation for quality and professionalism. Without these key elements, the platform risks undermining its potential impact on the economy and the future of Bhutan’s skilled labor force. Only through collaboration, sustained effort, and overcoming these early challenges can C4SW truly become a transformative force in Bhutan’s labor market.