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2019
- 22 November
- By Equipe NIG/026
- Niger Office NIG/026
- Water and sanitation
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NIGER - Vers une gestion déléguée du service public de l'eauLa livraison des premiers ouvrages du programme sectoriel eau et assainissement au Niger s’accompagne de la mise en place des systèmes de gestion déléguée afin d’en assurer la durabilité
La commune de Badaguichiri dans la région de Tahoua au Niger va bientôt mettre en service un tout nouveau système d’alimentation en eau potable. Ce système dit « multivillages » permettra l’alimentation en eau de 5 localités pour un total de plus de 8 000 habitants.

La gestion de cet équipement est toutefois un enjeu majeur : comment sera-t-il entretenu ? L’accès en sera-t-il équitable ? Qui bénéficiera des recettes issues de la vente de l’eau ?

Le mode de gestion « communautaire » de l’hydraulique villageoise qui prévalait au Niger, comme dans beaucoup de pays de la sous-région, est progressivement remplacé par une gestion déléguée. En effet, les problèmes de gestion financière entrainaient des pannes régulières et réduisaient la durabilité des systèmes d’approvisionnement en eau. De plus, la technicité des nouveaux ouvrages nécessite des compétences spécialisées.

AEP multivillages de la commune de Badaguichiri, région de Tahoua © LuxDev

Les nouvelles lois de décentralisation concèdent aux communes la compétence en eau et assainissement y inclus la gestion des ouvrages. Pour accompagner ces changements, le Ministère de l’Hydraulique a défini le cadre de gestion des ouvrages d’eau potable en milieu rural à travers son Guide du Service Public de l’Eau (guide SPE). Le principe de délégation de la gestion des ouvrages à des prestataires privés y est privilégié.

Sur la commune de Badaguichiri, un délégataire privé gère déjà depuis 2015 les 7 ouvrages existants. Encadré par une convention, ses performances sont contrôlées par la commune. Les usagers sont représentés par une association et par un bureau de contrôle indépendant. Un système de redevance répartit les recettes de la vente d’eau entre le délégataire, un fonds destiné au renouvellement et aux extensions des infrastructures et un autre destiné au développement du service eau et assainissement communal. Le contrat de ce délégataire arrivant à terme, un processus de mise en concurrence permettra la signature d’une nouvelle convention incluant le nouveau système prochainement opérationnel.

Représentants du délégataire de l’AEP de Dara Ichiroua, Commune de Wacha, Région de Zinder © LuxDev

L’application de ces modalités de gestion est censée garantir la durabilité de l’ouvrage aussi bien d’un point de vue technique que financier.

L’existence de ce cadre réglementaire et méthodologique est un véritable atout même si sa mise en œuvre souffre encore d’insuffisances. En 2018, au Niger, 74 % des ouvrages étaient en gestion déléguée. La performance de ces délégataires et des bureaux de contrôle est encore perfectible et les différents fonds ne sont pas toujours alimentés régulièrement. Pourtant, les résultats sont encourageant avec des taux de panne trois fois inferieurs sur les ouvrages placés en délégation.

Le Programme d’Appui au Secteur de l’Eau et de l’Assainissement (PASEHA 3), programme conjoint Luxembourgeois et Danois, appuie le Ministère de l’Hydraulique et de l’Assainissement dans la mise en œuvre du programme sectoriel de l’eau, l’hygiène et de l’assainissement (PROSEHA). Sous l’impulsion du Luxembourg et du Danemark, un mécanisme commun de financement (MCF) permet désormais de canaliser les fonds des partenaires étrangers dans une démarche commune et cohérente avec les politiques nationales.

La mise en place de la délégation de gestion des ouvrages construits sur financement du MCF est un point important du programme. Cependant, les ambitions sont plus grandes encore avec l’objectif d’améliorer la qualité du service public de l’eau et sa pérennité au niveau national. Pour cela, le Guide du Service Public de l’Eau a été révisé, un accompagnement de proximité des communes et la formation régulière des acteurs locaux ont été mis en place ainsi que des cadres de concertations au niveau régional.

La durabilité des ouvrages a été longtemps un point faible des programmes d’hydraulique rurale en Afrique et en particulier dans les pays sahéliens. La mise en place de nouveaux modes de gestion permettra progressivement une véritable professionnalisation du secteur garantissant la pérennité des installations tout en respectant les principes de redevabilité financière applicables aux collectivités en charge.

Les ouvrages placés en gestion déléguée ont un taux de panne trois fois inférieur à ceux gérés de façon traditionnelle © Zouloukalleyni Dourfaye
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- 20 November
- By Sandrine THINNES
- Asia Office MYA/002
- Socio-economic development
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MYANMAR - Pig farming a lucrative activity
The Eastern Shan State Rural Development and Inclusion Project, MYA/002, recently established 5 pig model farms in selected villages of the target area south-west of Kyaing Tong city in Eastern Shan State.

The MYA/002 team selected 5 farmers willing to start a pig model farm after training Community Animal Health Care Workers in each village and running several information campaigns amongst the 70 targeted villages. The farmers then signed an agreement to follow the new breeding techniques, improved feeding plan and products, as well as to apply humane husbandry practices.

Although small livestock like poultry and pigs are kept close to the houses, the animals are free to roam around throughout the day. They get fed once a day with leftovers or if the family can afford it with some cooked rice bran. Due to this traditional way of keeping small livestock, the animals are left mostly to their own demise which increases spreading of diseases, excrements and last but not least destroying vegetable gardens and eating any garbage they can find.

The pig model farm promotes the construction of a pig pen, use of specialised animal fattening feed (which does not need cooking) and supplements like Ruzi grass, cleaning of the stables twice daily and regular treatments/vaccinations (including castration of male pigs).

Vet Infomation Campaign

The first trials have shown that by using the improved feeding plan, the fattening period of the local black mountain pig can be reduced from 16 to 6 months and reaching a good marketable size. The farmers have also noted that the local variety pigs if kept according to the improved techniques have a much healthier aspect.

Obviously, the project is supporting these model farms with the specialised feed (local production in Myanmar) but only for 6 months as the business plan then allows for the breeding farm to run sustainably on its own.

Some neighbouring villages have already made their interest known to follow the guidelines, amongst them the small villages of Loi Kye 1&2 and the 11 households of the La Hu Shi tribe (usually nomadic) have surpassed the project’s expectations.

The poorest part of Loi Kye 1 village

Their animal health care workers had invited all the households to construct pig pens with material that they had available. They then invited the project to come and check asking to be supported with roofing sheets and the specialised feed. The villages had even plotted some areas to grow the Ruzi grass.

Honouring this exemplary initiative, the project provided the roofing sheets, fattening feed and training on how to mix the feed ratios and supplements. These households are all living far below the poverty line so that the fattening of their pigs represents a legal and lucrative income activity.

Livestock traders have already noticed an improved quality and availability of cattle and pigs in the targeted area. They are now more interested in negotiating higher prices as the livestock is treated, vaccinated and of a much healthier constitution. A 6 months old pig fed according to the new techniques can be sold for 150 000 MMK (88 EUR) whereas before the farmer needed to wait at least one year before the marketable size was reached.

Other positive side effects are a cleaner environment in the village, decrease of exposure to diseases for humans and animals, decline in home gardens being raided by hungry pigs and also decrease in using of fire wood as cooking animal feed becomes unnecessary.
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- 20 November
- By Raja CHOWDHRY
- Asia Office VIE/034
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VIETNAM - Calling in the ExpertsHue Tourism College Assists Bac Kan Vocational College to Review Tourism Curriculum
On 21st of May 2019, Ms Tran Thi Bach Mai, Vice-Director of the Job Placement Centre and instructor specialising in hotel and reception trades, together with Ms Hoang Thi Nhu Hong, Head of the catering trade of Hue Tourism College, visited Bac Kan in order to assist the teachers of Bac Kan Vocational College (BKVC) in reviewing the new tourism curriculum.

The workshop on reviewing the tourism curriculum was conducted in the presence of Hue Tourism College, Bac Kan Vocational College and the owner of a home stay in Ba Be district.

With more than 20 years of experience, Hue Tourism College is one of the top 10 vocational education and training colleges in Vietnam. Through their vocational training programs, they provide skilled human resources for the tourism and hospitality industry in Vietnam. Currently, Hue Tourism College owns 2 training facilities and 1 practical centre named Villa Hue amounting to a total area of more than 17,000 square meters in the heart of the imperial city. Moreover, the school is presently building 3 additional facilities with a total land area of 20 hectares in Huong Thuy district, 7 km to the south, located on the outskirts of the city.

Villa Hue – the practical centre for students of the Hue Tourism College was funded by Luxembourg

Between 1999 and 2013, Hue Tourism College received financial support and technical assistance from Luxembourg, aimed at the construction of facilities and the capacity building of teachers. This linkage facilitated the cooperation between Hue Tourism College and Bac Kan Vocational College, which is receiving similar support from Luxembourg. Ever since BKVC has sent 4 of their teachers to join a three-month training course in tourism services organised by Hue Tourism School, the two colleges enjoy and maintain a close partnership.

Ms Tran Thi Bach Mai, Vice-Director of the Job Placement Centre and instructor specialised in hotel and reception trades, added her comments on the curriculum.

Since the signing of a cooperation agreement with BKVC in 2018, the management of Hue Tourism College has supported BKVC in the opening of a tourism trade and the design of an outcome-based curriculum. In the workshop, the teachers of BKVC presented and defended the content of their curriculum, which resulted from the training course in Hue Tourism College, in front of the appraisal committee.

Endowed with rich natural resources, picturesque landscapes and the largest fresh water lake in South–East Asia, the tourism industry has the potential to become a key constituent of future economic development in Bac Kan province. As such, Hue Tourism College will continue to assist Bac Kan Vocational College in their development of tourism occupation programs.
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- 13 November
- By Daniele PASSALACQUA
- Kosovo Office KSV/020
- Education, vocationnal training and employment
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KOSOVO - An international recognition for the online information system “Busulla.COM”
Busulla.COM is an online Information System including tools for the provision of services related to Career Guidance for students and adults, Job Placement, Skills Assessment, and School management tools, as Training Need Analysis, Skills and Knowledge Need Assessment, Industrial Liaison and M&E applications.

It has been awarded with the title of the best public service in Kosovo at the Albanian ICT Awards Contest 2019. Developed with the financial support of Luxembourg Development Cooperation and the technical support of the Project KSV/020, in partnership with a consortium of Swiss providers. It includes the "Basic Check Test" largely used in Switzerland and by the Luxembourg Chambre des Salariés and Chambre des Metiers.

In addition to the high recognition of the System by the local authorities and the active donors in the sector (i.e. GIZ and USAID), the European Training Foundation has dedicated an article to it on page 23 of the Issue 44 of their highly specialised magazine "Live & Learn”.

Link to the magazine: click here

Besides, a project of the World Bank, the Austrian Federal Ministry of Finance and the Vienna Institute for International Economic Studies "The Jobs Gateway" dedicated an international Webinar to Busulla.COM, for which they invited the Chief technical advisor of the KSV/020 project, Daniele Cristian Passalacqua, to be the main speaker.

The Webinar saw the active participation of several countries' delegations, specialised in the sector and including the neighbouring Serbia, Albania, Macedonia and Montenegro. High interest was registered by some central authorities strictly linked with policy makers and the exchange was fostering replications of similar tools in other Education Systems.

More information about the webinar: click here
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- 11 November
- By Coudy DIA
- Mali Office MLI/022
- Education, vocationnal training and employment
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MALI - Visite du ministre de l’Emploi et de la Formation professionnelle du Mali au Luxembourg
Les 10 et 11 octobre 2019, le ministre de l’Emploi et de la Formation professionnelle du Mali, maître Jean-Claude Sidibé, et sa délégation composée de son conseiller technique en charge de la formation professionnelle, de la directrice nationale de la Formation professionnelle, du directeur du Fonds d’appui à la formation par apprentissage et du président de la Chambre de commerce et d’industrie du Mali, se sont rendus en Suisse et à Luxembourg pour une visite d’études.

La visite avait pour objectif de découvrir les systèmes de formation professionnelle des deux pays et d’en visiter les dispositifs, afin de tirer des enseignements susceptibles d’aider le Mali à développer ce secteur.

Les visites de terrain organisées à Luxembourg ont ainsi permis d’aborder plusieurs thématiques telles que :
- l’organisation de la formation professionnelle ;
- le financement de la formation professionnelle continue ;
- la certification ; et
- les partenariats public-privé.
En ce qui concerne l’organisation de la formation professionnelle, la mission a eu l’occasion de s’entretenir avec monsieur le ministre de l’Éducation nationale, de l’Enfance, de la Jeunesse, de l’Enseignement supérieur et de la Recherche, Claude Meisch et sa directrice de la Formation professionnelle, madame Véronique Schaber. Cet entretien a été suivi de visites au lycée technique du Centre et au Talent Hub du lycée des Arts et Métiers.

Pour ce qui est du financement de la formation professionnelle continue, de la certification et des partenariats public-privé, la mission a bénéficié d’échanges avec les responsables de l’Institut de formation sectoriel du Bâtiment (IFSB) puis de la Chambre de commerce du Luxembourg.

Présention d'une application mobile au au Talent Hub du lycée des Arts et Métiers.

Visite au lycée technique du Centre avec madame Véronique Schaber, directrice de la Formation professionnelle au Luxembourg.

Visite de de l’Institut de formation sectoriel du Bâtiment du Luxembourg

Pour finir, une séance de travail animée par Alexis Hoyaux, expert en formation professionnelle du siège de LuxDev, s’est tenue dans les locaux de l’Agence pour évoquer les dispositifs de financement de la formation professionnelle dans différents pays du monde et tirer les premiers enseignements des rencontres et visites réalisées.

Par ailleurs, au cours de la visite d’études, une entrevue a été organisée entre la délégation ministérielle malienne et la direction de la Coopération du ministère des Affaires étrangères et européennes du Luxembourg. Elle a été l’occasion, pour le ministre malien, de saluer la coopération entre les deux pays et de revenir sur les enjeux de la formation professionnelle au Mali dans le contexte social, politique et sécuritaire très difficile qui prévaut depuis 2012 et continue à se dégrader.

Délégation malienne à la direction de la Coopération au développement et de l'action humanitaire du Luxembourg

Ministre de l’Emploi et de la Formation professionnelle du Mali, maître Jean-Claude Sidibé et le directeur de la Coopération au développement et de l'action humanitaire du Luxembourg, Manuel Tonnar.
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- 4 November
- By Manon LIENARD
- Niger Office NIG/025 NIG/026 NIG/027
- Agriculture, forestry and fishery Water and sanitation Governance
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NIGER - La Coopération luxembourgeoise investit à la hauteur des enjeux
Les interventions luxembourgeoises au Niger ont enregistré des performances positives au cours des trois dernières années, en particulier dans les secteurs du développement rural et de l’eau et assainissement. Ainsi, à l’occasion de la XIIe Commission de partenariat entre la République du Niger et le Grand-Duché de Luxembourg qui s’est déroulée à Niamey le 18 octobre 2019, une augmentation des enveloppes budgétaires pour les programmes en cours dans ces secteurs a été annoncée.

Dans le cadre du programme de développement rural NIG/025 qui cible la région de Dosso, 9 578 jeunes, dont 55 % de femmes, ont été formés aux métiers des filières agricoles depuis le début de l’intervention. Une extension budgétaire d’un montant de 3 190 000 EUR permettra d’ici 2020 à près de la moitié d’entre eux de bénéficier d’un crédit adossé à une subvention pour développer et pérenniser des activités génératrices de revenus. Davantage de piste rurales seront également réhabilitées pour améliorer l’accès des personnes et des produits aux marchés régionaux.

Jeune pratiquant la culture du riz irrigué, grâce à l’achat d’une motopompe et de semences adaptées © Zouloukalleyni Dourfaye

Dans le secteur de l’eau et de l’assainissement, l’augmentation de la contribution luxembourgeoise au programme NIG/026, cofinancé par le Royaume de Danemark, s’inscrit dans une volonté d’augmenter la portée des réalisations. Avec un apport complémentaire de 6 861 126 EUR, 690 000 personnes vivant en milieu rural à travers tout le pays pourront être desservies en eau potable d’ici fin 2022.

Borne fontaine, région de Dosso © Zouloukalleyni Dourfaye

Par ailleurs, une nouvelle intervention dans le domaine de la gestion des finances publiques a été confirmée. Il s’agit de répliquer le modèle d’appui à la chaîne de la dépense publique développé avec succès dans la région de Dosso entre 2014 et 2016. Le projet d’appui au renforcement des capacités des acteurs de la chaine des dépenses publiques des régions de Agadez, Diffa, Tahoua et Zinder (NIG027) bénéficiera d’un investissement total de 1 467 179 EUR. D’une durée de 24 mois, cette intervention prévoit des activités de renforcement de capacités des services techniques déconcentrés du ministère des Finances et aussi des appuis en équipement et en moyens roulants permettant d’améliorer les conditions de travail et la performance des acteurs de la chaîne des dépenses publiques dans les zones ciblées.

La ministre de la Coopération et de l’Action humanitaire du Grand-Duché de Luxembourg, Mme Paulette Lenert, avec le ministre des Affaires étrangères de la République du Niger, M. Kalla Ankouraou, lors de la XIIe Commission de partenariat du 18 octobre 2019

Ces fonds additionnels portent à 97 millions EUR l’enveloppe du IIIe Programme indicatif de coopération (PIC III 2016-2020). Comme l’a rappelé la ministre de la Coopération au développement et de l'Action humanitaire du Luxembourg lors de la signature officielle des nouveaux protocoles d’accord, le Niger est le premier bénéficiaire de l’aide publique au développement luxembourgeoise.
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- 4 November
- By Philip Pearce
- Asia Office LAO/031
- Governance
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LAOS - A further step towards ensuring equal access to justice for allLegal Aid offices launched in Bokeo and Luang Namtha Provinces
Project LAO/031 has now supported the establishment of four legal aid offices in various provinces.

In the presence of his H.E. Bounsavath Boupha, Vice-Minister of Justice, two new Legal Aid offices were opened in Laos’ northern provinces of Bokeo and Luang Namtha, with the support of Project LAO/031 - Support Programme for Legal Teaching and Training and to the Promotion of the Rule of Law Concept in Laos.

Legal Aid offices support the poor and marginalised sectors of society by providing free legal information and advice, and in some cases, legal representation. The provision of such a service requires not only a designated office space with modern equipment, but also skilled lawyers and civil servants who have legal expertise and are familiar with relevant laws. As such, LAO/031 also provides support for the training of officers and for the dissemination of the Decree on Legal Aid and its implementation.

Moreover, under Lao law, lawyers of the Lao Bar are required to carry out 40 hours of pro bono legal aid work.

While the project is bound to support the Ministry of Justice’s efforts to set up further legal aid offices, it must be noted that the official opening of an office is just a first step. Citizens must now be made aware of the existence and concept of legal aid offices.

Staff from the Ministry of Justice learn about the procedures of providing legal aid services to users.
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- 29 October
- By Project VIE/034
- Asia Office VIE/034
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VIETNAM - Students at Bac Kan College Overcome Challenges in Life and ThriveA story of Truong Thi Diem
Ms. Truong Thi Diem is a student K6 of the agroforestry faculty at Bac Kan Vocational College. She is one out of four siblings from a Tay ethnic family. After her mother's death, her father became the sole breadwinner of the family. Forced to work night and day to support his four kids and ensure their schooling, he is now growing old and weak. Being the oldest sister, Diem soon took her father’s role. The family situation made it difficult for the girl to pursue higher education after high school. Nevertheless, she did not give up her dream of studying. Limiting herself to only working part time, she divided her time wisely and managed to enrol in the veterinary clinic trade of the agroforestry faculty at Bac Kan Vocational College. She has poured herself into work and studied harder than ever before. She was soon rewarded with an opportunity to work in a veterinary store as a saleswoman and consultant. Not only did this fulfil her desire to work in the field she is most passionate about, but it also gave her the opportunity to apply what she learned at school. After finishing her studies, she continued to work for several years in order to save enough money to run her own business. Now, she has become a successful owner of a veterinary shop and a small-sized pig farm. She is now able to back her family financially, all the while creating jobs for the poor farmers in her community.

Like many other disadvantaged graduates, Ms. Diem has overcome her adversities to lead a happy and successful life

At present, Diem is the owner of a veterinary shop and a small-sized pig farm

Access to gainful employment is part of the efforts of the project Bac Kan, Technical and Vocational Education and Training - Phase II, VIE/034. The project aims to promote employment and livelihood development in line with the economic opportunities and the local sociocultural context in northern Vietnam.

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- 24 October
- By Josaphat MILLOGO
- Burkina Faso Office BKF/018 BKF/025 BKF/026
- Education, vocationnal training and employment
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BURKINA FASO - Les Partenaires techniques et financiers mutualisent leurs ressources avec 28.3 MEUR pour booster la formation professionnelle
Le lundi 21 octobre 2019 a eu lieu à Ouagadougou la cérémonie de signature du protocole bilatéral et du protocole de financement commun de l’appui conjoint des Partenaires techniques et financiers à la mise en œuvre de la politique sectorielle d’enseignement et de formation techniques et professionnels (EFTP) au Burkina Faso.

Suite à un précédent appui au secteur de la formation professionnelle, mis en œuvre de 2012 à 2018, cinq Partenaires techniques et financiers à savoir, le Luxembourg, l’Agence française de Développement, l’Autriche, la Suisse, et la Principauté de Monaco, se sont engagés dans un nouveau programme pour soutenir la formation professionnelle au Burkina Faso.

Ces cinq Partenaires s’engagent à mobiliser la somme de 28.3 MEUR sur la période 2019-2024, pour booster la formation professionnelle au Burkina Faso. La contribution du Luxembourg à ce nouvel appui est de 13 MEUR. Le gouvernement burkinabè contribuera pour sa part avec 13.7 MEUR.

L’objectif visé par l’appui consiste à améliorer l’accès à l’enseignement et la formation techniques et professionnels, en améliorant la qualité et en renforçant son pilotage.

Les grandes orientations du programme portent sur :
- la réalisation d’actions de formation qualifiante et certifiante, à forte employabilité et plutôt de courte durée ;
- l’appui à la décentralisation fonctionnelle et territoriale de la formation professionnelle ; et
- le développement des partenariats avec le secteur privé.
Les différents acteurs impliqués vont ainsi bénéficier d’importants appuis en matière de renforcement des capacités.

La cérémonie de signature, présidée par Mme Paulette Lenert, Ministre de la Coopération et de l’Action humanitaire du Luxembourg, et M. Lassané Kaboré, Ministre des Finances du Burkina a également bénéficié de la participation de nombreuses personnalités dont le Ministre burkinabè en charge de la formation professionnelle, l’Ambassadeur du Grand-Duché de Luxembourg au Burkina Faso, le Directeur général de LuxDev, l’Agence luxembourgeoise pour la Coopération au développement ainsi que les chefs des Coopérations ou d’agences autrichienne, la française et Suisse.
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- 21 October
- By Neira RAMIC
- Asia Office LAO/029
- Education, vocationnal training and employment
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LAOS - Once upon a training: Stories of Oudone and Porvang
Teachers can still learn too!

Oudone, Teacher at Champasak Technical College, Champasak Province, © LuxDev

30-year old Oudone is teaching Tourism, Housekeeping and Front Office at the Champasak Technical College. Passionate about her job and always open for new challenges, she participated in a hotel internship in Bangkok and other trainings aiming to scale up the capacities of Technical and Vocational Education and Training teachers.

Talking about the trainings, she says “I really enjoyed the courses and shared all the things I’ve learned with my colleagues”.

As she improved her skills through the trainings, Oudone was given additional responsibilities at the College. She is now managing six accommodation rooms at the school. Word of her competencies spread and Oudone was approached by a hotel to work as a part-time trainer in Housekeeping. She’s enjoying both her roles as a teacher and trainer and hopes to motivate her students to pursue a career in the tourism and hospitality sector.

Oudone explains “I try to make my students aware of all the different job opportunities. It’s a sector that can provide a good income and secure future!”

Asked about her own future, the young teacher says that she would like to further develop her skills, especially her English language skills. “I can still learn and improve, just like my students!”.

Oudone participated in four different trainings supported by the Skills for Tourism Project • LAO/029:
- “Professional Hotel Internship in Thailand” for 3 months
The Hotel Internship Programme provides Lao tourism and hospitality teachers with the opportunity to learn and acquire ‘industry-current’ skills, based on real life situations. Upon their return, the teachers are able to deliver that experienced-based-knowledge back to seven different Lao Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) schools throughout the country.
- Master Trainer of Housekeeping Operations in collaboration with Singapore
In-service training of 20 TVET teachers/trainers from three ministries related to Tourism and Hospitality to train in Singapore creating a cohort of master trainers in Housekeeping Operations. The training provided the trainers and teachers with the opportunity to update their knowledge and acquire ‘industry-current’ housekeeping skills, based on ASEAN standards. Through the conduct of a 5-day multiplier workshop in Vientiane Capital, the 20 master trainers trained an additional 60 trainers and TVET teachers in Housekeeping Operations.

This initiative is a collaboration between Lao PDR and Singapore, which is financially supported by the Temasek Foundation International and the Skills for Tourism Project (LAO/029), with technical support by the Institute of Education - Education Services, Singapore.
- Master Trainer of Front Office Operations in collaboration with Singapore
Continuing the effective collaboration with Temasek Polytechnic College, Singapore, the project supported the training of a further 20 master trainers in Front Office Operations and 20 master trainers in Food & Beverage Service. Replicating the successful cascade training model, an additional 120 trainers and TVET teachers are upskilled.
- ASEAN National Trainer and Assessor Programme
The Programme supports existing and new Tourism and Hospitality I/TVET teachers to acquire the ASEAN National Trainer & Assessor qualification. The programme was delivered by the Institute of Mass-Media, Culture and Tourism (IMCT) together with (the new competency-based T/H Diploma) Curriculum Implementation training provided by the Vocational Education Development Institute (VEDI).

I have found my signature!

Porvang, 21 year-old from Phonsay District, Luang Prabang, © Bart Verweij

Porvang is adjusting his uniform as he gets ready to welcome new guests to Angsana Maison Souvannaphoum Hotel, one of the most renowned hotels in Luang Prabang. The 21-year-old has just been promoted to the front office department after starting off as a waiter. As the guests approach, he binds a bracelet around their wrist. “It’s for good luck” he says. Porvang seems confident and happy in his new role, however the path to a career in hospitality and tourism was not an obvious one.

Originally from Phonsay district, Porvang moved to the orphanage in Luang Prabang at the age of 8, where he stayed until the completion of his secondary school. “I always had an interest in English” he comments, “and I would often go to English conversation practice where I would talk to tourists to improve my language skills. However, in my last year of secondary school, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do afterwards.”

Things started to take shape when he heard about the short-term training in Food Production at the LANITH Luang Prabang Training Centre. Intrigued by the short length of the training and the opportunity to find employment afterwards, he signed up.

Talking about the course, his face lights up “this training changed my life, it’s where I learned my signature, my path”. He goes on to explain that “at Lanith, you receive a good overview, English lessons and you learn about service. After all, you should know how to serve lunch for many people.”

Alichith Phengsavanh, HR Manager, who recruited Porvang right after he graduated from the training, confirms that the students gain a good basic level through the course. “It’s short but you can see that the training provides the right foundations, they learn how to work in a team and they seem passionate about hospitality”.

When asked about how his life has changed since he started working, Porvang is smiling modestly, “at the beginning, I would go to work with my bicycle, now I bought a motorbike!”

Reflecting about his future goals and ambitions, Porvang is eager to further develop his skills and hopes to become front office manager. As he looks at the front office desk, he adds “if there’s one thing I learned, is that learning never stops”.

Porvang carrying the welcome tray for new guests, © Bart Verweij

The three-month Certificate 1 (C1)-accredited training programmes in Food Production, Food and Beverage Service and Housekeeping are supported by the Skills for Tourism Project (LAO/029) and delivered by the LANITH Luang Prabang Training Centre.

These training courses which focus, in particular, on inclusion of people from disadvantaged backgrounds in tourism/hospitality training and employment, are designed to equip young women and men with the required skill set to land an entry-level job in the tourism and hospitality sector. The LANITH Luang Prabang Training Centre supplements the high quality practical training with intensive English language lessons and basic employability skills.

Since 2017, the project supported over 150 students (75% of whom are women). All graduates have secured employment in the tourism and hospitality sector, including at leading hotels and restaurants in Luang Prabang.
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