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LuxDev, Luxembourg Development Cooperation Agency

• 2020
• • 9 December
  • By Ben WANDIVINIT
  • 
  • Asia Office LAO/029
  • Education, vocationnal training and employment
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  Skills for Tourism Project awards grants for implementation of Dual Cooperative Training Programmes in Tourism and Hospitality

  In November 2020 the Skills for Tourism Project LAO/029 signed three grant agreements with public vocational education institutions (Champasak TVET College, Luang Prabang TVET College and Xiengkhouang IVET School) and 12 enterprise partners for implementation of Dual Cooperative Training (DCT) programmes in tourism and hospitality. The grants total over 1.5 billion LAK and will benefit more than 70 students. 

  Food Production students putting theory into professional practice. 

  In August this year, the Skills for Tourism Project and the Vocational Education Financing Facility (VEFF) signed a Memorandum of Understanding, agreeing to work together to both further the development of a sustainable Technical Vocational Educationa and Training (TVET) financing mechanism, and to grant financial support to dual cooperative training (DCT) programmes in tourism and hospitality. 

  With this goal in mind, the Skills for Tourism Project and VEFF launched an expression of interest for public technical vocational colleges aiming to introduce such a training format for their tourism and hospitality diploma programmes. Champasak TVET College, Luang Prabang TVET College and Xiengkhouang IVET School expressed their interest and consequently received technical support from the Skills for Tourism Project to prepare and submit grant applications.

  Building upon the theory training provided by the technical vocational colleges, a key feature of DCT programmes is the close involvement of the private sector, with partner companies providing the technical training in a business environment that helps ensure students secure the latest industry skills and knowledge. As such, each technical vocational college identified and established partnerships with leading local businesses as part of the application process. 

  “Encouraging and supporting such public-private-partnerships between TVET institutions and the industry is of crucial importance in ensuring that trainees acquire labour market-oriented skills by having to put what they learnt at school into professional practice”, Mr. Nouphan Outsa, Director General of the Technical Vocational Education Department at the Ministry of Education and Sports and National Project Director of the Skills for Tourism Project explained.

  The grant amounts cover the additional costs of delivering the three year diploma programmes in a DCT format and include contributions towards the additional management and training costs for the school and private sector companies, health and safety related equipment, as well as stipends and health insurance for the students while they are in the workplace. The trainees have been jointly selected by the technical vocational colleges and their private sector partners. 

  The three year DCT programmes in Hotel Operations (Champasak and Luang Prabang) and Food Production and Food & Beverage Services (Xiengkhouang) have been rolled out in November 2020 and will be completed by August 2023. The private sectors training partners include Le Bel Air Resort, Maison Souvannaphoum, Pullman and The Grand Hotel in Luang Prabang; Suan Sawan Villa, Sengaloun Hotel, Arawan Riverside Hotel, Champasak Grand Hotel and Pakse Mekong Hotel in Champasak Province, and Nongpanaphong Restaurant and Favanhmai Hotel and Restaurant in Xiengkhouang. 

  The Skills for Tourism Project is co-financed by the Governments of Lao PDR, the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and Switzerland, and implemented by the Ministry of Education and Sports of Lao PDR (MoES) and LuxDev, the Luxembourg Development Cooperation Agency. The Vocational Education Financing Facility (VEFF), is implemented by the Ministry of Education and Sports and co-funded by the German Government through KfW Development Bank.

   

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• • 6 November
  • By Ben Wandivinit
  • 
  • Asia Office LAO/029
  • Education, vocationnal training and employment
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  LAOS - The Academy Training Hotel and Restaurant opens its doors in Vang Vieng

  During a ceremony on 2 November 2020, the Vientiane Province Technical College officially launched a new tourism and hospitality practical training facility built at the Vang Vieng campus. The facility, named The Academy Training Hotel and Restaurant, will provide tourism and hospitality students and the teachers with a modern training environment to improve practical skills.

  

  Minister of Education and Sports, Mme Sengdeuane Lachanthaboune highlighted the “greater knowledge, skills, professional attitude and employability” students will gain at the new practical training facility. Photo by: Phoonsab Thevongsa

  The Academy Training Hotel and Restaurant is a multi-purpose building offering six guestrooms and a 32-seat restaurant, with services provided by tourism and hospitality students. The five hundred thousand EUR project started in June 2019 and took twelve months to complete.

  The Skills for Tourism Project - LAO/029 is assisting the Vientiane Province Technical College to establish the proper operational systems and to build capacity of the management team to enable the college running the training facility in a sustainable manner.

  The opening of the new training facility occurs at a time when the COVID-19 pandemic is severely impacting Vang Vieng, a popular tourism destination in the Lao PDR. Director General of the Technical Vocational Education Department of the Ministry of Education and Sports, Mr Nouphan Outsa, stated, “Although the sector has been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, Lao PDR will continue to aim for excellence in the provision of vocational and technical education. This training facility highlights that resolve.”

  

  (From left to right) Luxembourg Embassy Charge d’Affaires, Mr Sam Schreiner, Minister of Education and Sports, Mme Sengdeuane Lachanthaboune and Deputy Director of Cooperation from the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, Mr Christian Engler, officially inaugurated the Academy Training Hotel and Restaurant on 02 November. Photo by: Phoonsab Thevongsa

  Stressing the tourism sector’s proven ability to recover from adversity, Chargé d’Affaires of the Embassy of Luxembourg in Vientiane Laos, Sam Schreiner restated that the donors’ shared vision behind the practical training facility remains unchanged: “improved access to work-relevant education, highly sought-after graduates and standards on par with those expected of an attractive ASEAN travel destination.”

  Christian Engler, Deputy Director of Cooperation and Head of Employment and Skills Domain, Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, commented: “The Academy Training Hotel and Restaurant represents an important milestone illustrating the fruitful and lasting collaboration between Lao PDR, the Grand-Duchy of Luxembourg and Switzerland, which will ultimately facilitate the resurgence of a deeply impacted but resilient tourism and hospitality sector.”

  As part of her remarks at the opening ceremony, Minister of Education and Sports, Mme Sengdeuane Lachanthaboune, added that, “By giving students exposure to a real service environment at the Academy Training Hotel and Restaurant, Vientiane Province Technical College will improve the quality of education, as well as ensure that graduates of tourism and hospitality courses acquire the knowledge and skills demanded by the industry”.

  The establishment of the training facility builds on the Skills for Tourism Project’s aim of improving training facilities and standards of technical vocational colleges in Lao PDR.

  The Vientiane Province Technical College is currently offering two-year programmes in tourism and hospitality that lead to a Diploma in Restaurant Operations or a Diploma in Travel and Tourism. There are over 130 students who enrolled in the academic year 2019, with a similar amount expected to enrol in 2020. The college also offers shorter courses in tourism and hospitality that lead to C1 accreditation.

  The Academy Training Hotel and Restaurant expects to welcome Vang Vieng locals and tourists taking advantage of the Lao Thiao Lao domestic tourism marketing campaign and the soon to be inaugurated expressway.

  The construction and fitting out of the Academy Training Hotel and Restaurant are co-financed by the Governments of Lao PDR, the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and Switzerland, and implemented by the Ministry of Education and Sports of Lao PDR and LuxDev, the Luxembourg Development Cooperation Agency.

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• • 3 November
  • By Mone SYSAVATH
  • 
  • Asia Office LAO/029 LAO/027
  • Education, vocationnal training and employment Health
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  Luxembourg and Thailand International Cooperation Agency inks Partnership Agreement on Human Resource Development Cooperation for LAOS

  The Luxembourg Development Cooperation Agency and the Thailand International Cooperation Agency (TICA) have established a long-term partnership focusing on the strengthening of human capital development in on Lao PDR. The Letter of Understanding (LoU) signing ceremony took place in Bangkok on 20 October represented by H.E. Jean-Paul Senninger, Ambassador of Luxembourg to Thailand on behalf of the Government of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and Ms Pattarat Hongtong, Director-General of Thailand International Cooperation Agency (TICA), Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

  H.E. Jean-Paul Senninger, Ambassador of Luxembourg to Thailand (left) and Ms Pattarat Hongtong Director-General of Thailand International Cooperation Agency (TICA), Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Photo by: TICA

  The LoU aims to establish a development and cooperation framework which focuses on:

  • improving the effectiveness, efficiency and sustainability of projects or programmes in Lao PDR by combining TICA’s and LuxDev’s technical expertise in complementary fields;
  • developing and sharing good practices and lessons learned within the framework of human capital development in Lao PDR, particularly in the fields of public health, local/rural development and Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET).

  Based on TICA and LuxDev’s joint fact-finding mission in Laos in November 2019, certain activities will be launched immediately in late 2020 including:

  • technical support and training for the Lao-Luxembourg Health Sector Support Programme - LAO/027; and
  • twinning of TVET colleges with Thai tourism-related training institutes for the benefit of the Skills for Tourism porject - LAO/029.

  Photo by: Luxembourg Embassy in Bangkok

  The agreement will cover the entire duration of the next Indicative Cooperation Programme between Lao PDR and Luxembourg (2021 – 2025) and will end on 31 November 2025. Both parties will review and update the collaboration annually in order to take stock and capitalise on good practice and update the planned collaborations for subsequent years.

   

   

   

   

   

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• • 14 October
  • By Ben Wandivinit
  • 
  • LAO/029
  • Education, vocationnal training and employment
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  LAOS - Handicraft Grants Boost Lao Artisans’ Skills

  As highlighted by the recently launched Lao Handicraft Festival in Vientiane, preserving and promoting local handicrafts and culture is more important than ever in the times of Covid-19. To contribute to those efforts, the Skills for Tourism Project (LAO/029), which is implemented by the Ministry of Education and Sports and LuxDev, the Luxembourg Development Cooperation Agency, supported handicraft-related enterprises in providing training to artisans in their existing supply chain, also with the goal to increase producers’ income.

  Thirteen handicraft enterprise applicants qualified for grants that averaged €9,000, their common training goals being production techniques, and for artisans to understand what the market wants.

  Ma Te Sai, one of the grantees, is focusing on sewing, for instance. “I want our 20 trainees to finish products at home, not only to earn more income, but so that we save on sewing elsewhere,” said Managing Director Emi Weir. She added that Ms Khambang, an experienced seamstress, conducts the training to ensure quality, as they export and sell online.

  Production methods, product demand, and quality also guide trainings by other grant recipients. TaiBaan Crafts Founder Shui-Meng Ng said she gathered artisan groups from several provinces to share their experiences. “Participants discuss and demonstrate their various dyeing techniques and materials.” Additional sessions on quality control rely on feedback from overseas buyers, so participants can understand quality standards, size specifications, expectations on colours and consistency.

  The export market also drives Gaebi Studio’s training. “Our current focus is on designing products that target middle and higher classes, both in Laos and internationally,” said Founder/Designer Shin Yoonsun. Gaebi’s training additionally stresses basic business operations with a focus on all operations, from production planning and design to market access and business operations. Achieving standardisation can however prove to be difficult for products that are particularly characterised by their uniqueness. “Electric sewing machines are not very popular in the villages, so they create products made by weaving without them, and based on the villagers’ skills.” 

  Other grantees, such as Khang Lao Handicrafts, divided training into different categories. “Our sessions help artisans produce better quality items and adjust their work to new market trends and demands,” said Founder Viengkham Nanthavongdouangsy. Khang Lao quality-control training covers all aspects of production from raw materials, yarn, and dying through packaging.

  
  Artisans weaving textiles together during a training organised by Khang Lao. © LuxDev

  Much like their training foci, the selected handicraft enterprises’ product lines differ. While TaiBaan’s range aims to suit urban and overseas buyers seeking household items, Ma Te Sai’s training pinpoints products such as masks, bags, Lao sinhs and simple western-style clothing, with a focus on design, colour, and marketing. “We want them to understand what customers like Ma Te Sai expect, and how we can co-create products based on traditional patterns and processes,” Ms Weir explained.

  TaiBaan uses the fabric to make home decor items, cushion covers, blankets, and placemats. “We do not change artisans’ woven designs or techniques, but select designs and motifs more suited to urban buyers.”  Khang Lao’s founder Ms Viengkham agrees, “Lao textiles are rich in production techniques, and present a variety of unique traditional motifs.”

  The grant programme mitigates Covid-19’s impact by adjusting its timeline, while accounting for village’s farming schedule. Even though handicraft production continues at lower levels, retail shops see rewards in investing in their rural supply chain. Artisans are learning new dyeing and sewing techniques, and quality control. They better understand market demand and are adapting their products that remain based on traditional skills and designs.

  The Handicraft Skills for Tourism Small Grants Facility is financed by the Skills for Tourism Project (LAO/029) which is funded by the Governments of Lao PDR, the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and Switzerland, and implemented by the Ministry of Education and Sports of Lao PDR and LuxDev, the Luxembourg Development Cooperation Agency.

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• • 14 October
  • By Ben Wandivinit
  • 
  • LAO/029
  • Education, vocationnal training and employment
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  LAOS- Lao Thiao Lao Campaign Launched to Boost Domestic Tourism

  The Lao Thiao Lao marketing campaign kicked off on 11 September at a launch event in the Vientiane Capital, showing how the public and private sector are coming together to boost domestic tourism against the backdrop of the global COVID-19 pandemic.

  This public-private partnership brings together the Ministry of Education and Sports (MoES), the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism (MICT), the Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LNCCI) and leading tourism and hospitality businesses to support the promotion of domestic tourism, with the LNCCI taking the lead with its implementation.

  “This is a unique way in which the public and private sectors have joined together to co-finance a tourism marketing campaign” said LNCCI board member Inthy Deuansavanh, who is spearheading the Lao Thiao Lao campaign for the LNCCI.

  Mr Deuansavanh, who is the founder of Green Discovery Laos and the Inthira Hospitality Group, explained, “The campaign will be a largely online, aiming to promote some of the great special offers that are currently available and inspire young Lao people’s sense of adventure to visit some of the amazing destinations around the country”.

  The Lao Thiao Lao campaign comes with its own dedicated Facebook page.

  Working with key influencers and utilising online advertising and destination promotion videos, the campaign will also feature online competitions to engage and inspire with prizes including free holidays to some of the featured destinations. 

  The Skills for Tourism Project (LAO/029), a project implemented by the MoES and LuxDev, the Luxembourg Development Cooperation Agency, is providing the initial financial support for the Lao Thiao Lao campaign. The LNCCI aims to raise additional funds from the private sector through a range of sponsorship and partnership packages to encourage businesses to contribute financial and in-kind donations towards the campaign.

  While boosting domestic tourism will be crucial in supporting tourism and hospitality businesses, Mr Nouphanh Outsa, the Director General of the Technical and Vocational Education Department at the MoES, also emphasised, “a strong tourism sector is imperative to provide employment opportunities for students undertaking tourism and hospitality studies across the country.”

  Raising awareness of the amazing destinations to be visited in Lao PDR is one of the main goals of the campaign.

  Mr. Bounlap Duangphoumy, Deputy Director General of the Tourism Marketing Department at MICT added that “the Lao Thiao Lao marketing campaign is a key component of the support being provided to tourism and hospitality businesses to help them survive until international tourism rebounds again”.

  Print and broadcast media, such as prominent newspapers and magazines as well as radio will provide feature stories, cover shots, photo essays related to the Lao Thiao Lao campaign, and/or advertising space. The LNCCI has already enlisted The Laotian Times, Una Studio, Tholakhong, Muan.la, Lao Youth Radio and Mahason Magazine, with more expected to sign on.

  LNCCI has partnered with RDK Group to bring technical expertise to implement the Lao Thiao Lao campaign with dedicated Facebook (@laothiaolao) and Instagram pages launched last week. The campaign will run from September 2020 to January 2021 with the possibility of extending further into 2021.

  Businesses and organisations interested in sponsorship or partnership packages should contact Ms. Khambang Inkham at the LNCCI on 021 453312 directly for all enquiries.

  With the COVID-19 situation bringing difficult times to tourism and hospitality businesses in Lao PDR, the Lao Thiao Lao campaign is supported by the Skills for Tourism Project (LAO/029), which is financed by the Governments of Lao PDR, the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and Switzerland.

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• • 1 September
  • By Ben Wandivinit
  • 
  • Asia Office LAO/029
  • Education, vocationnal training and employment
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  LAOS - Tourism and Hospitality Training Hits Top Gear

  The Skills for Tourism Project (LAO/029) is boosting its tourism and hospitality training throughout Laos in 2020 with the aim of upskilling more than 1 400 people working in the sector through a variety of programmes. 

  High on the agenda stands the Customer Service Training, led by the Institute of Mass Media, Culture and Tourism (IMCT). With different programmes for managers and staff, IMCT will train more than 600 industry professionals in Customer Service across 12 provinces, in partnership with the Provincial Departments of Information Culture and Tourism.

  
  Learning by doing: Front desk staff receiving upskilling training by industry leaders as part of the Pheun Than Heng A Sip (PTHAS) Training Programme, © Swisscontact.

  “The programmes have been designed with external expertise to cover the essentials for managers and their staff to provide a quality customer experience to their guests,” said IMCT Trainer Boutsaba Chansomphou. Throughout the year, Ms Chansomphou and her team of trainers are delivering these three-day courses which are based on ASEAN common competency standards for tourism professionals.

  In addition to the customer service programmes, IMCT are delivering trainings on employee life cycle management for human resources and general managers to understand and see the importance in the different employment stages their staff experience.

  "The employee life cycle consists of the six different phases an employee goes through before, during and after working for an organisation,” explains IMCT Lead Trainer Douangchay Phothichack. “Reflecting on such processes is important as it paves the way to quality employment and a more productive tourism and hospitality sector.” These stages run from offering an attractive workplace, targeted recruitment, and assisting new staff in adjusting to the company, to employee development, retention, and separation.

  Building on the momentum generated by the Visit Lao-China year campaign in 2019, IMCT have also launched the China-Ready Training Programme which is in full swing, as trainers provide local businesses with information on Chinese outbound tourism, how to better access this market, and ways to tailor products and services to meet the needs of Chinese tourists.

  “Developed in partnership with COTRI (the China Outbound Tourism Research Institute), modules have been adapted to the Lao context,” emphasised IMCT Trainer Lae Keoluangta. He added, “We continue improving the capacity of our trainers through online classes by COTRI and the Hong Kong Polytechnic University to learn about the effects of COVID-19 on the Chinese tourism market and post-virus travellers’ needs and expectations.”

  
  HR Managers reflect on the different employment phases their staff experience during the Employee Life Cycle Management Training in Pakse, Photo by EDC.

  In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, IMCT are also conducting COVID-Awareness Training for 100 micro and small tourism and hospitality businesses, so that they clearly understand the guidelines on COVID-19 prevention as issued by the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism (MoICT), and to build consumer confidence. Kicking off in Vientiane, the half-day programme trains businesses in establishing practical health and safety measures.

  The training is delivered onsite and IMCT provides businesses with a COVID prevention kit consisting of posters to educate staff and customers, thermometers and an initial inventory of facemasks, cleaning gloves, hand gel and cleaning disinfectant. Upon completion of the training, businesses sign a commitment to implementing these practices and receive a certificate which can be used for promotional purposes.

  Alongside the partnership with IMCT, the Skills for Tourism Project is also working with Swisscontact, eight provincial hotels associations and the Lao Hotel and Restaurant Association in driving the Pheun Than Heng A Sip (PTHAS) Training Programme. During 2020, Swisscontact will be building the capacity of these organisations to train around 300 junior staff working in micro, small and medium enterprises across central and southern Lao PDR on the basics of housekeeping, front office, food & beverage services and food production. Quality assurance support to the local associations is being provided by the School of Tourism and Hospitality at Pakpasak Technical College. 

  These upskilling efforts are further complemented by the Skills for Tourism Project’s collaboration with DFICT, a respected Lao-owned company, which is currently in the process of training 420 staff on food and beverage, housekeeping and front office services in Luang Prabang, Vientiane and Vang Vieng, which is fully subsidised by the Project.

  Upgrading bartending skills in Vientiane and Luang Prabang is another avenue supported by the Skills for Tourism Project. Andrew Mullins, the Spirit House Company Director, will be conducting four five-day intensive training programmes for up to 60 bartenders. Successful graduates receive a professional bartender certification endorsed by the United Kingdom Bartenders Guild (UKBG).

  
  Employee Life Cycle Training participants working together on challenges their businesses face. Photo by EDC

  Asked about the training programme, Mr Mullins, who has opened more than 100 high-end bars worldwide, elaborated: “The training program is a combination of interactive workbook theory and practical application that improves both the visible skills and background knowledge of the trainees. Our goal is to instill consistent, sustainable and professional bartending practices alongside exceptional service ideals.”

  He further explained, “Theoretical modules include cocktail and spirit knowledge and the bartender's contribution to guest experience, while practical classes take place behind the bar with constant hands-on coaching and appraisal to inspire confidence and maximise knowledge retention." The first classes are scheduled for 21-25 September in Luang Prabang and 5-9 October in Vientiane, with additional dates to follow.

  With the COVID-19 situation bringing difficult times to tourism and hospitality businesses in the Lao PDR, these training opportunities are provided either free of charge or at heavily subsidised prices to help support businesses in the sector, through the LAO/029 project, which is co-financed by the Governments of Lao PDR, the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and Switzerland, and implemented by the Ministry of Education and Sports of Lao PDR and LuxDev, the Luxembourg Development Cooperation Agency.

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• • 29 April
  • By LAO/029
  • 
  • LAO/029
  • Education, vocationnal training and employment
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  LAOS - Learning is a never-ending journey like Oudone journey.Capacity building

  Oudone Thangsombath is a teacher at Champasack Technical and Vocational Education College. “Because I did not graduate from a teacher training college, I lacked pedagogical skills. It made my teaching really hard in the past. Until I joined the ASEAN National Trainers and Assessors Programme supported by Skills and Tourism Project - LAO/029 to further develop my teaching skills, now I have more hands-on and practical experiences. I am confident to pass this knowledge and skills to my students”.

  

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• • 27 April
  • By Ben Wandivinit
  • 
  • Asia Office LAO/029
  • Education, vocationnal training and employment
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  LAOS - Making change happen in BolikhamxayThe stories of Phailana Mounjampy and Phouvilay Thadavong, the teachers from Bolikhamxay province

  Phailana is standing in front of her class, smiling and confident. The students are looking up to her and listen as she is explaining the difference between white wine and red wine and how they accompany various dishes.

  Seeing her interact with her students and hearing her talk about the service sector with such passion, you would not have guessed that there was a time she did not feel so comfortable teaching.

  "In the beginning, I was much more nervous," says the 22-year-old, "but through practice I have become more and more confident." Phailana Mounjampy, The young teacher is giving classes to students of the diploma in Food and Beverage Services at Bolikhamxay Technical School in Paksan. The school also offers a diploma in Food Production which is taught by teacher, Phouvilay.

  Phailana (left) and Phouvilay (right). Credit Phoonsab Thevongsa

  Both of them were recruited after they respectively completed the diplomas in Food and Beverage Service Operations and Food and Beverage Production Operations at the Lao National Institute of Tourism and Hospitality (LANITH). They were recipients of a full scholarship for their studies provided by the LAO/029 - Skills for Tourism Project.

  Telling us about their experiences, the young women fondly recollect what they liked most about their time at LANITH.

  “I learned the real art behind the service sector, from setting up tables to greeting guests” explains Phailana. “And I started to approach things in a more structured way,” she says. “They were also very strict,” exclaims Phouvilay, adding, “but in a good way. And they treated all students equally, which I really appreciated.”

  While Phailana had a clear vision of her future from the start and applied for the scholarship the moment she heard of it, Phouvilay’s path was not as straightforward. Unsure about working in the service sector, Phouvilay submitted her application with some hesitation. Yet, in spite of the programme’s competitiveness and high number of applicants, she made the cut!

  With a cheeky smile she recalls the moment she received the offer. "I almost dropped my papaya salad," she chuckles. Much to her own surprise, Phouvilay came to like the course and it sparked a real interest in her for the hospitality sector. 

  Both teachers hope to kindle the same enthusiasm among their students. Phouvilay goes on to clarify: "Before I started at LANITH, I had no idea about European or international food, I never even tried it before. It really opened my eyes!” It is that kind of passion and curiosity she now wants to instill in her students. “I see myself in them,” she says. “That’s why I want to keep them motivated and show them all the different opportunities that the sector has to offer.” Phailana nods in agreement, “I get so happy when I see my students progressing. That’s the best part of being a teacher!”

  The diplomas in Food and Beverage Service Operations and Food and Beverage Production Operations at the Lao National Institute of Tourism and Hospitality (LANITH) were supported by the Skills for Tourism Project (LAO/029), to provide people from disadvantaged backgrounds with the knowledge and skills to find their first job in the tourism and hospitality sector.

  The Skills for Tourism Project is co-financed by the Governments of Lao PDR, the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and Switzerland, and implemented by the Ministry of Education and Sports (MoES) of Lao PDR and LuxDev, the Luxembourg Development Cooperation Agency.

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• • 4 March
  • By Ben Wandivinit
  • 
  • LAO/029
  • Education, vocationnal training and employment
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  LAOS - Celebrity TV Chef Boosts Lao Students’ Cooking Skills

  Luxembourg’s celebrity TV chef and cookbook author Anne Faber conducted a hands-on workshop for Lao ‘Food Production’ students at Vientiane’s Pakpasak Technical College on 20 February to teach them the underlying skills of Western-style food preparation.

  The class culminated in a lunch served by the college’s ‘Food and Beverage Service’ students at the Lanith Cafe for some 20 distinguished guests, including Mr. Sam Schreiner, Chargé d'Affaires of the Embassy of the Grand-Duchy of Luxembourg in Lao PDR.

  Ms. Faber teamed up with Pakpasak Technical College teachers to guide 20 students in creating a traditional Luxembourgish home-style meal from scratch, while adopting local ingredients found in the markets of Vientiane.

  I wanted them to better understand the background of the dishes and to learn the skills needed to prepare full Western meals

  Ms. Faber

  
  
  © Bart Verweij

  To accomplish this, the star of “Anne’s Kitchen” TV show divided the class into groups and assigned them to complete different tasks in workstations. They then worked together for the main dish, Kniddelen, an iconic Luxembourg mainstay. 

  “I just showed the students what to do, the process and timing, and they did it,” Ms. Faber explained, adding, “They helped each other, learned very quickly and were very focused. There was no air of competition, and they were extremely proud of their achievements.”

  
  © Bart Verweij 

  Ms. Daosoukoula Vilay, a food production teacher at the college, said, “It was an honour for me and my students to have an opportunity to work with Chef Anne in preparing Luxembourgish dishes for our guests.”

  Student Ms. Phonemany Keokhampheng, noted:

  We saw the difference between the art of Lao and Western cooking. That made us want to improve ourselves and explore other cuisines further. We loved all the food that we made, especially the Luxembourgish dumplings that are so tasty, fragrant, and mouth-watering.

  
  © Bart Verweij 

  To further enhance their skills, Ms. Faber showed the students how to adapt local ingredients and cooking equipment to create a Western meal. “I also built on what they have already learned at the college about the details of serving Western guests…how to select the appropriate plates and stemware for the specific dishes, and how to prepare the dishes in the correct order to deliver a fresh meal at the right temperature.”

  Mr. Schreiner, who toured the kitchen and classrooms before partaking in the lunch, commended the efforts of Ms. Faber, the teachers and the students, while noting the progress being made by the Skills for Tourism Project (LAO/029) in enhancing tourism and hospitality vocational education and skills development in Lao PDR.

  The project is moving forward and continually building students’ skills. Students are receiving good training and education. Therefore, they will be able to find jobs and start a career in hospitality.

  Mr. Schreiner

  Mr. Schreiner stressed that the project also helps the Lao tourism economy by improving service standards, a key element in moving the industry forward.

  The Skills for Tourism Project (LAO/029) is co-financed by the Governments of Lao PDR, the Grand-Duchy of Luxembourg and Switzerland. It is implemented by the Ministry of Education and Sports of Lao PDR and LuxDev, the Luxembourg Development Cooperation Agency.

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• • 9 January
  • By Bernie Rosenbloom
  • 
  • Asia Office LAO/029
  • Education, vocationnal training and employment
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  LAOS - The country gets “China Ready”

  The Institute of Mass Media, Culture and Tourism (IMCT) launched the China-Ready Training Programme on 25-26 December 2019, in Vientiane Capital to provide local tourism businesses with information on Chinese outbound tourism, how to better access this market, and ways to tailor products and services to better meet the needs of Chinese tourists.

  Photo by Vimaphone Phiou On

  With the support of IMCT, the China Outbound Tourism Research Institute (COTRI) and its Founder and CEO Prof Dr Wolfgang Georg Arlt adapted the international China Ready Training programme specifically for the Lao market. At the organized seminar, he delivered China Ready’s four-module pilot programme to more than 30 participants representing key public and private sector stakeholders.

  As part of the build-up to this event, COTRI trained 12 trainers from IMCT who will go on to deliver the China-Ready programme in Luang Prabang and Vang Vieng in January, before rolling the programme out to a further six other provinces during 2020.

  IMCT Lead Trainer and Curriculum Developer Bouavanh Soukhathammavong said, “The objective is to provide information about the Chinese market to attract more visitors, who spend more money. Businesses should know how to satisfy the different needs of the Chinese market.”

  China Ready comes on the heels of a successful Visit Laos-China Year 2019, said IMCT Deputy Director Darany Phommavongsa. “The programme’s launch in Vientiane Capital seeks ways of welcoming more Chinese tourists, while contributing to the economy.”

  Deputy Director Darany emphasised that tourism businesses need to evolve. “We need to get them ready. This is very important. Businesses must understand what products and services the Chinese want, and what they spend on. They also need to learn how to attract the Chinese market. How do we get them?”

  The first of the four modules that make up the China Ready programme focuses on China’s outbound tourism development and current situation, with a spotlight on Laos and the Mekong region. The session provides demographic data and information about the Chinese market. The second module explores best practices in hospitality, customer service and catering to Chinese tourists.

  The third module zeroes in on creating products for different niche Chinese market segments and adapting existing ones, including how to offer Chinese mobile payment systems.

  The final module of China Ready explores communication and distribution channels, especially on social media, and how to connect with distribution partners in China. The training is in Lao language, and participants receive a Certificate of Attendance.

  The China Ready Training programme is supported by the Skills for Tourism Project • LAO/029, which is co-financed by the Governments of Lao PDR, the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and Switzerland, and implemented by the Ministry of Education and Sports of Lao PDR and the Luxembourg Development Cooperation Agency (LuxDev).

   

   

   

   

   

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