Collaborative Training Prepares Timor-Leste Youth to Succeed in the Labour Market

Collaborative Training Prepares Timor-Leste Youth to Succeed in the Labour Market

Julmira do Bento, a 34-year-old mother of 3 and a trainer at the Baucau Community Development Centre (CDC) in Timor-Leste, has gained new skills in career guidance, soft skills, and disability inclusion. With the full support of her husband, who takes care of their children while she attends trainings, she is now better equipped to help her students prepare for the labour market and to support youth in her community who are striving to find employment or create opportunities for themselves.

Julmira was one of the 50 participants who joined a six-day training of trainers on career guidance, soft skills, and disability inclusion, held in Dili from 18 to 23 August 2025. The training was organized by the International Labour Organization (ILO), funded by the European Union, in collaboration with Centro Nacional de Emprego e Formação Profissional (CNEFP Tibar).

"I am very happy with this training. It has given me the knowledge and confidence to better support my students in their job search, while also providing skills that are valuable in my own life."

Through her years as a trainer, Julmira has seen some of her students successfully enter the labour market, but many continue to face challenges in finding employment or becoming self-employed. She often tried to guide them using her own ways and traditional methods of counselling, but she felt she needed better tools to support their journeys.

Career guidance helps youth identify their strengths, explore career paths, and make informed choices. Skills training and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) centers are key to supporting the school-to-work transition.

One of the most impactful parts of the training was disability inclusion. Julmira's younger sibling has Down syndrome, and the new knowledge she gained has helped her better support her sibling and raise awareness in her family and community.

"This training also helped me understand disability in a new way. Now I can better support my sibling, understanding ways to approach him and also promote inclusion in my community. I also feel encouraged to support my institution in creating a more accessible environment for students with disabilities."

In Timor-Leste, 1.4% of the population lives with disabilities. As part of the Agroforestry Skills for Employment and Resilience programme, a disability preparedness survey was conducted for TVET institutions and training centers. The results show that youth with disabilities still face significant challenges, including barriers to access, inadequate accommodations, limited learning materials, unsuitable teaching processes, and difficulties transitioning to work.

The experience also inspired Julmira to think beyond her classroom. She is now determined to reach young people in her community who lack access to education and training. "There are many youths in my community without opportunities to learn. I want to share with them the knowledge I gained, so they can acquire skills, find employment, or even start their own businesses. My hope is to see fewer young people left behind. With guidance and opportunity, I believe they can build a better future."

Julmira also has a message for other trainers: "We need to go out into our communities and reach the youth who are often excluded. When young people lack opportunities, they are more vulnerable to joining violent groups or creating trouble in their communities. They are not troublemakers by nature; they are simply waiting for a chance. With our support, they can thrive."