Connecting the Mekong through Education and Training Quarterly Report Year 3 Third Quarter - April 1 to June 30, 2017

The project focuses on creating a framework for the long-term sustainability of the MekongSkills2Work model, which includes capacity development of Mekong Learning Centers (MLCs) through professional development tools, online content, and partnerships. Mekong Learning Centers play a crucial role in the project, as they are responsible for championing and expanding the MekongSkills2Work model beyond the life of the project. To achieve this goal, the project has implemented various initiatives, including the pilot implementation of the Work-based Learning Toolkit at Maptaphut Technical College in Thailand, Institute of Technology of Cambodia in Cambodia, and Hue Industrial College and Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology and Education in Vietnam. The Work-based Learning Toolkit is a fundamental component of the MekongSkills2Work model, designed to strengthen connections between educational institutions and local private sector partners. The toolkit aims to narrow the gap between local labor market supply and demand by enabling educational institutions to engage with the local state-of-the-art in terms of skilled demanded by local employers. In addition to the Work-based Learning Toolkit, the project has also shared the MekongSkills2Work professional development framework and certification system with MLCs. This framework outlines the process for an instructor to become a Certified MS2W Instructor, Lead Instructor, then Master Instructor and defines the set of competencies required for each level. By certifying levels of MekongSkills2Work instructors, the project will be able to focus on deepening and broadening institutionalization efforts through training approaches that increasingly position MLCs as leaders of the MekongSkills2Work network. The project has also launched a new blog, Make Changes Stick, for institutional leaders and instructors to learn how to institutionalize and sustain the MekongSkills2Work model. The blog author is Dr. Kenneth Bartlett, professor and organizational development expert from the University of Minnesota, USA. The blog focuses on the application of research-supported strategies, techniques, and tips on how to sustain change from state-of-the-art practices in education. Furthermore, the project engages partners at two levels: multinational partnerships and local partnerships. Multinational partnerships involve multinational companies based in the USA that have collaborated with USAID COMET, while local partnerships involve local companies that have relationships with MLCs on curriculum linkage, internship programs, and Work-based Learning. To better enable a proactive partnerships approach, the project has developed a partnerships engagement plan that outlines key topics of interest and possible areas of collaboration with individual partners. The project has also discussed with USAID throughout the quarter to find the best approach to continue to meet project contractual deliverables while conserving project financial resources. This resulted in significant adjustments to planned budget expenditures and programs over a 13-month period from June 2017 to July 2018. In terms of indicators, the project has completed 21 workforce development initiatives as a result of USG participation in public-private partnerships. These initiatives include university and vocational school courses and MS2W trainings conducted by instructors from five of COMET's Mekong Learning Centers in Cambodia, Vietnam, and Laos. The instructors incorporated and delivered MekongSkills2Work Sourcebook content into their courses, such as basic electrical drawing, production technology, Java programming, and practice of automotive braking, suspension, and steering system. Additionally, nine trainings of trainers were conducted by MS2W-trained instructors to further develop the skills of MLC instructors.