Vientiane:Laos has successfully upgraded, trained, tested, and certified more than 126,000 workers in the first nine months of 2026 as part of a government initiative to enhance labor skills and employment opportunities.
According to Lao News Agency, Minister of Labour and Social Welfare Phoxay Sayasone reported to the 2nd Ordinary Session of the 10th National Assembly that 126,392 individuals, including 59,221 women, participated in labor skills training, upgrading, testing, or certification programs. The number of those who received training and skills upgrading totaled 126,255, surpassing the National Assembly’s target of 80,000. However, only 137 individuals underwent skills testing and received certification, falling short of the goal of 50,000.
During this period, 76,604 Lao workers, of whom 39,411 were women, registered for employment. Among these, 5,259 sought jobs within Laos, while 71,345 looked for opportunities abroad. Ultimately, employment was secured for 119,382 people, with 15,772 finding domestic jobs and 103,610 securing positions overseas.
The ministry has been promoting self-employment and rural employment since 2024, particularly for disadvantaged, low-income, and unemployed individuals, with a focus on agriculture and services. Training has included modern farming methods, mushroom cultivation, livestock raising, food processing, weaving, marketing, entrepreneurship, and business planning.
From 2024 to 2026, 969 individuals completed self-employment training. Additionally, the ministry provided equipment to assist 175 people in starting their own businesses and conducted mobile agricultural vocational training for 170 disadvantaged workers in remote rural areas.
