ADB, Microsoft, Laos join for youth scheme 

The document was signed this week by Deputy Education and Sports Minister Kongsy Sengmany, Microsoft marketing and operation lead Rena Chai, and the deputy director-general of the ADB’s Southeast Asia Department, Noriko Ogawa.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Kongsy stressed that the cooperation among the three parties would help young Lao seek jobs and generate income for their families. 
“The platform is very significant to our government in helping young people to upgrade their skills,” he said.
He said his ministry planned to expand this platform not only to vocational schools and other institutions in Vientiane, but also to schools in remote areas in a bid to help young people broaden their knowledge and access skills training.
Ogawa said: “ADB recognises that inclusive education is essential to build the human capital needed to drive innovation, increase productivity, and accelerate private-sector development.
“Integrating an innovative technology platform into our education-sector assistance programmes will help deliver longer-lasting benefits to the Lao economy.”
The platform, called YouthWorks, supports government efforts to use information and communication technology to boost access to education and employment services.
It will provide an online localised knowledge repository and open-access courses, career guidance and job placement services, free of charge.
YouthWorks empowers job seekers and entrepreneurs to develop the skills and knowledge needed to find decent jobs.
The collaboration is in association with the ADB-financed second Strengthening Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Project.