Transformative Career Opportunities in Dhangadhi through Vocational Training
Transformative career opportunities, like those offered through Olgapuri Vocational School (OVS), allow Nepali young people to begin building economic independence and even generational wealth. But that’s just the beginning.
Communities all over Nepal are eager to upgrade their standard of living, whether by improving clean water access, making electrical connection more reliable, or scaling up local vegetable production. These changes transform villages, impacting public health, access to outside resources, educational opportunities, and much more. But in many rural areas of the country, young people struggle to access the skills training required to enter these industries.
Development in Nepal’s “far western” province, Sudurpashchim Province, has fallen behind most of the country. But NYF is working with local leaders to turn the tide.
Skill Fair: Connecting Youth to Employers
In early March 2025, Olgapuri Vocational School (OVS) participated in the Skill and Employment Fair in western Nepal. This event, organized by Dhangadhi Sub-Metropolitan City, provided hands-on training opportunities for young adults eager to enter the workforce.
Out of 4,800 applicants, 1,040 youth from Sudurpashchim Province were selected to participate. OVS trained 181 of these individuals across seven high-demand trades, equipping them with the skills needed for sustainable employment:
- Air Conditioning & Refrigeration
- Barbering
- Electrical
- Fast Food Preparation
- Furniture Making
- Plumbing
- Welding
These fields offer strong job prospects, helping participants gain financial independence and contribute to their local economies. Notably, 50% of the trainees were women, reinforcing NYF’s strong commitment to gender equity and economic empowerment.
By connecting skilled trainees with employers, the Skill and Employment Fair played an essential role in bridging the gap between education and workforce development, ensuring that Nepal’s youth can build rewarding careers and contribute to the growth of their local communities.
But this fair was only one small part of NYF’s work in this area of the country.
As the district headquarters of Kailali District (one of nine districts in Sudurpashchim Province), Dhangadhi Sub-Metropolitan City is home to a dynamic and ambitious potential workforce. However, many young people seek employment abroad due to limited local access to specialized skills training. Through Olgapuri Vocational School (OVS), NYF is equipping young professionals with high-demand, practical skills, enabling them to build fulfilling careers, contribute to Nepal’s growing industries, and strengthen their own communities—right at home.
Expanding Access to Skills Training
On July 29, 2023, OVS and Dhangadhi Sub-Metropolitan City formed a partnership to begin equipping the region’s young people with electrical and plumbing skills. A major milestone was reached on March 8, 2024, when officials gathered for the groundbreaking ceremony of a new satellite OVS facility in Dhangadhi. The event was attended by Dhangadhi Mayor Gopi Hamal, city officials, NYF representatives, and funders from a UK-based organization, whose generosity is making this project possible. Once completed in June 2025, this facility will bring vocational training opportunities directly to the region.
Until the new facility is completed, students will continue traveling to OVS’s Kathmandu Valley campus for training. By offering these courses, NYF is addressing Sudurpashchim’s severe employment crisis, where the unemployment rate stands at 11.5%, and underemployment affects 38.8% of workers. Among young people (ages 15-24), underemployment reaches a staggering 44.3%—forcing many to leave Nepal in search of work.
Nepal’s Labor Migration Crisis
Labor migration is a major factor shaping Nepal’s workforce. In 2014, over 500,000 young Nepali people left the country in search of jobs. By last year, that number rose to 750,000—2.5% of Nepal’s entire population. Today, an estimated 3.5 million Nepali people (14% of the country’s population) are working overseas, primarily in Malaysia, India, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. Over 82% of these workers are men, leaving behind millions of families struggling with economic and social strain.
With limited job opportunities in Nepal, young adults—especially those from subsistence farming communities—often turn to foreign labor markets as their only option. Unfortunately, many of these jobs come with steep recruitment fees, exploitative contracts, and unsafe working conditions. Unscrupulous employers frequently take advantage of Nepali workers’ low bargaining power. Cases of wage theft, forced labor, and inhumane treatment are common. Some even find themselves trapped in global conflict zones, such as those recruited into both sides of the Russia-Ukraine war.
Meanwhile, despite high youth unemployment, Nepal’s own industries struggle to find skilled workers. Many businesses hire from abroad, bringing in Indian and other foreign laborers to fill positions that Nepali youth could have taken—if they had the right training. This means millions of dollars in wages are leaving Nepal’s economy instead of circulating locally.
Vocational training offers a sustainable solution. By equipping Nepali young people with high-demand skills, NYF is ensuring they can secure stable, well-paying jobs in Nepal, reducing reliance on migration and keeping Sudurpashchim’s workforce strong for the future.
Sustainable Growth Through Local Investment
Once the Dhangadhi Vocational School is completed, its funding will follow the same model as NYF’s 16 Nutritional Rehabilitation Homes. The local government will gradually take over operational costs, ensuring long-term sustainability by 2031.
Olgapuri Vocational School (OVS) provides industry-recognized certification in six high-demand trades:
- Electrical (3 months)
- Plumbing (3 months)
- Carpentry (3 months)
- Welding (4 months)
- Industrial Tailoring (6 months, focused on women’s empowerment)
- Greenhouse Farming (SAAET Project, 1-month program for women in Nepal’s southern plains)
The results are transformational. Between NYF’s reporting period of July 2023 to June 2024:
- 354 young adults completed construction training (electrical, plumbing, welding, carpentry).
- 151 young women completed the Industrial Tailoring program, preparing them for stable, well-paid work in Nepal’s textile industry.
- 100 young adults (92 women, 8 men) completed greenhouse farming training, helping them launch high-yield vegetable businesses in Nepal’s southern plains.
Employers actively seek out OVS graduates because of their high-quality training and professionalism. Many graduates quickly secure stable jobs, while others start their own businesses—creating a cycle of empowerment.
Shaping the Future of Sudurpashchim
NYF’s work aligns with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals for Nepal: creating dignified, well-paying jobs close to home allows young people to contribute directly to growing their local economies and improve living conditions nationwide. With the right skills, young professionals now have more opportunities to establish stable careers in Nepal’s expanding economy.
Even after the Skill Fair ends, NYF will continue providing vocational training in Dhangadhi, ensuring that Sudurpashchim’s workforce remains strong and competitive. This initiative represents a turning point for the region—expanding career choices, supporting thriving local economies, and strengthening Nepal’s industries.
Through strategic partnerships and hands-on training, NYF and OVS are creating real opportunities—helping Nepal’s workforce grow and thrive within the country.