The relevance of vocational education to the livelihoods of rural youth, Luang Prabang Province, Laos

Rural youth in Luang Prabang, Laos, prioritize not only economic prosperity but also broader human development aspects such as wellbeing, democracy, and social justice when considering vocational education. Current Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) policies focus narrowly on poverty reduction and economic growth, overlooking these diverse livelihood aspirations. The study employed qualitative and ethnographic methods—interviews, focus groups, and transect walks—to reveal that a human capabilities approach could better align TVET with the multifaceted needs of Indigenous youth, suggesting policy reforms to balance economic objectives with broader development dimensions.

Soukkaseum, P. The relevance of vocational education to the livelihoods of rural youth, Luang Prabang Province, Laos. https://doi.org/10.26686/wgtn.17067596