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About the LELAM Project

The LELAM project—short for Linking Education and Labour Markets—is an international, interdisciplinary research and academic initiative aimed at strengthening the connection between education systems and labor market demands, with a particular focus on Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in Nepal. It is a collaborative effort led by Kathmandu University in partnership with ETH Zurich, supported by the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC).

The central goal of the LELAM project is to understand and promote the conditions under which TVET can contribute to improving the income, employability, and long-term opportunities of young people. By fostering a closer alignment between what is taught in TVET institutions and the skills required in the labor market, the project seeks to enhance both the relevance and the quality of vocational education.

The project involves extensive research on policy, practice, and institutional structures, as well as the design and delivery of advanced academic programs such as the Master of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (MTVET) at Kathmandu University. The MTVET program plays a key role in building local capacity in areas such as vocational pedagogy, system management, and educational leadership.

LELAM is grounded in the principles of empowerment, inclusivity, and sustainability. It brings together researchers, educators, policymakers, and development partners in a shared mission to create more effective, responsive, and equitable education systems. By linking education with employment outcomes, the project contributes not only to national development goals but also to global efforts in achieving decent work and lifelong learning for all.