Consultation on Bhutan's Part-Time Jobs Framework: Strengthening Employment Opportunities Through Existing Ecosystems

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The Department of Employment and Entrepreneurship (DOEE), under the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Employment (MoICE), recently conducted a consultation on the development of a Part-Time Jobs Framework. The consultation explored how Bhutan's existing employment ecosystem, labour market services, entrepreneurship initiatives, and youth engagement programs can support the creation and implementation of structured part-time employment opportunities.


The presentation highlighted the department's vision, mandates, employment services, entrepreneurship support programs, labour market information systems, career guidance initiatives, and youth employment interventions that collectively contribute to a stronger and more inclusive labour market.

DOEE Vision and Mission

Vision

A nation where citizens have access to gainful and quality employment.

Mission

To promote and facilitate employment through employment services, entrepreneurship development, career guidance, labour market information, and related support programs.

Key Mandates of the Department of Employment and Entrepreneurship

The Department of Employment and Entrepreneurship plays a central role in Bhutan's employment sector through the following mandates:

  • Facilitating employment opportunities and support services.

  • Promoting employment creation through initiatives such as the Employment Responsibility System (ERS).

  • Fostering entrepreneurship, innovation, and self-employment.

  • Improving employability and placement of job seekers, including persons with disabilities.

  • Providing career guidance and employment advocacy services.

  • Supporting school-to-work transition programs.

  • Strengthening labour market information collection and analysis through the Labour Market Information System (LMIS).

  • Conducting labour market research.

  • Collaborating with stakeholders to create sustainable employment opportunities.

  • Building the competencies of labour and employment professionals.

Career Guidance and Labour Market Information Services

Career guidance and labour market information services remain key pillars of Bhutan's employment strategy. The department currently undertakes a range of initiatives to help students, job seekers, and employers make informed career and workforce decisions.

Key Activities

  • National Job Fair

  • Career Bootcamp

  • Career sessions in schools, colleges, and TVET institutes

  • Individual career counselling

  • GOWA Talent Matching Initiative

  • Gamified career guidance interventions

  • Development of the Career Compass Toolkit

  • Training of Trainers (ToT) programs

  • Standard Operating Procedures (SoP) for career counselling and referral

Labour Market Information Publications

To support informed decision-making, the department regularly publishes:

  • Labour Market Information Bulletin

  • Quarterly Labour Market Information Bulletin

  • Labour Market Information Guide for Job Seekers

These resources provide valuable insights into employment trends, labour demand, and emerging opportunities across sectors.

Entrepreneurship Support and Startup Ecosystem

Recognizing entrepreneurship as a critical driver of employment creation, the department has established various support mechanisms for aspiring entrepreneurs and startups.

Startup Centres

Dedicated startup centres have been established in:

  • Changzamtog Startup Centre, Thimphu

  • Dhamdum Startup Centre, Samtse

  • Zhemgang Startup Centre

Business Incubation Centres

Business incubation centres have been set up across colleges and TVET institutions to nurture entrepreneurial talent and support innovative business ideas.

Participating institutions include:

  • College of Natural Resources

  • Jigme Namgyal Engineering College

  • Gedu College of Business Studies

  • College of Science and Technology

  • Sherubtse College

  • Norbuling Rigter College

  • Royal Thimphu College

  • GCIT

  • Various TVET institutions

Entrepreneurship Programs

Training Programs

  • Basic Entrepreneurship Course

  • Training of Trainers (ToT) on New Business Creation

  • ToT on Incubation Management

Events and Competitions

  • Hackathon Challenge

  • Startup Weekend

  • Entrepreneurship Bootcamp

  • Business Idea Competition

  • Druk Tshongrig Gateon

  • Global Entrepreneurship Week

  • Product Launch Events

These initiatives help build entrepreneurial capacity while encouraging innovation and self-employment among Bhutanese youth.

Overseas Employment Program

The consultation also highlighted overseas employment opportunities available to Bhutanese job seekers.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must:

  • Be registered job seekers.

  • Be Bhutanese citizens.

  • Have completed at least Class 10 education.

  • Be between 21 and 29 years of age.

  • Not be engaged in other training programs or employment obligations.

Destination Countries

Current overseas employment opportunities are available in:

  • Middle Eastern countries

  • Japan

  • Thailand

  • Singapore

Placement Mechanisms

Placements are facilitated through:

  • Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Employment (MoICE)

  • Registered Bhutanese Overseas Employment Agents (RBOEA)

The department emphasized the importance of verifying overseas job offers through MoICE to ensure authenticity, worker protection, and safe migration practices.

Employment Service Centres (ESC)

Employment Service Centres provide direct support to both job seekers and employers across the country.

Services for Job Seekers

  • Online registration on BLMIS

  • Scanning and photocopying services

  • CV and resume preparation assistance

  • Access to labour market information

Services for Employers

  • Employer registration on BLMIS

  • Recruitment facilitation

  • Free interview venue services

These centres serve as important access points for employment-related services and workforce development support.

Youth Engagement and Livelihood Program (YELP)

The Youth Engagement and Livelihood Program (YELP) aims to enhance employability and provide meaningful engagement opportunities for young people.

Objectives

The program seeks to:

  • Build skills and competencies.

  • Provide practical work experience.

  • Improve employability.

  • Promote productive youth engagement.

Support Categories

1. Engagement Support

Private sector placements ranging from one to twelve months.

2. Special Support

Community service and non-profit projects ranging from one to twenty-four months.

3. Internship Support

Internships in government agencies, civil society organizations (CSOs), state-owned enterprises (SOEs), and corporations lasting between one and three months.

Bhutan Labour Market Information System (BLMIS)

The Bhutan Labour Market Information System (BLMIS) serves as an integrated digital platform connecting employers and job seekers.

Key Functions

  • Employer registration

  • Job seeker registration

  • Job posting and application management

  • Employee management

  • Compliance with labour regulations

Registration Process

Users can register by:

  1. Using the Bhutan NDI Wallet or standard online registration.

  2. Submitting required personal and educational information.

  3. Receiving account credentials through email and SMS.

  4. Completing their profiles.

  5. Searching and applying for available jobs and training opportunities.

Eligibility Requirements

To register, applicants must:

  • Be Bhutanese citizens with a valid CID.

  • Be at least 18 years old.

  • Be unemployed and actively seeking employment.

Implications for the Proposed Part-Time Jobs Framework

The consultation highlighted several important considerations for the development of a national Part-Time Jobs Framework.

Existing Infrastructure Can Support Implementation

Bhutan already possesses a well-established employment ecosystem that includes:

  • Job matching services

  • Career guidance programs

  • Entrepreneurship support mechanisms

  • Youth engagement initiatives

  • Overseas employment opportunities

  • Digital labour market platforms

BLMIS as a Core Platform

The Bhutan Labour Market Information System provides a ready-made platform capable of supporting:

  • Registration of part-time job seekers

  • Employer participation

  • Vacancy announcements

  • Matching and placement services

  • Monitoring and reporting

Leveraging Existing Programs

Programs such as YELP and Employment Service Centres can complement the framework by providing outreach, placement support, and employment readiness services.

Importance of Stakeholder Collaboration

Successful implementation will require strong partnerships among:

  • Government agencies

  • Private sector employers

  • Educational institutions

  • Training providers

  • Civil society organizations

Such collaboration will be essential for creating sustainable, accessible, and well-regulated part-time employment opportunities.

Conclusion

The consultation demonstrated that Bhutan already has many of the foundational systems required to support a structured Part-Time Jobs Framework. With established employment services, career guidance programs, entrepreneurship initiatives, youth engagement schemes, and the Bhutan Labour Market Information System, the country is well-positioned to expand flexible employment opportunities for its citizens.

As discussions continue, leveraging existing platforms and strengthening collaboration among key stakeholders will be critical to ensuring that part-time employment contributes meaningfully to youth empowerment, workforce participation, and economic development in Bhutan.

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