After eight years, what has changed from Australia’s 22-million-dollar investment in the development of Timor-Leste’s workforce?

Quite a lot it turns out. Australia Awards alumni are punching above their weight in national influence, Australian labour mobility jobs have increased elevenfold and the Technical and Vocational Education & Training (TVET) system for hospitality has been transformed.

Australia’s investment has delivered for Timorese, but there is still a long way to go and hard-won lessons to pass on to the three Australian programs and others who will continue this work.

This report for what is now called the Workforce Development Program Timor-Leste (WDPTL) communicates the program’s achievements and is upfront about mistakes and the lessons that resulted. The report provides summarised information that can be used by Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and other development programs.

The report begins with highlights from the past eight years, and then covers the context and rationale for the program. From here it charts the evolution of program components and related interventions. Next, it provides a deep dive into achievements, leading into a final section on lessons learnt.

Click here to download WDPTL Completion Report Summary 2022