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2020
- 13 March
- By MICHEL PUJANA
- Burkina Faso Office BKF/026
- Education, vocationnal training and employment
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BURKINA FASO - Les formations modulaires courtes, un levier vers l’emploi
Dans la perspective de la mise en œuvre des actions de formation prévues dans le cadre de l’appui à la politique sectorielle (APOSE) d’enseignement et de formation techniques et professionnels sur financement du Luxembourg, de l’Agence française de Développement, de l’Autriche, de la Suisse et de Monaco, une visite a été réalisée au Centre de Formation professionnelle de Référence de Ziniaré (CFPRZ) situé à 30 Km de la capitale Ouagadougou. La visite a été effectuée par l’assistance technique de l’APOSE avec la participation d‘une équipe du Fonds d’appui à la formation professionnelle et à l’apprentissage (FAFPA). Elle avait pour objet de s’imprégner des réalités de ce centre et de connaitre ses potentialités actuelles et futures au bénéfice des apprenants et du secteur privé.

En termes d’offres, le centre propose des formations modulaires qualifiantes de courtes durées visant l’obtention du brevet de qualification professionnelle (BQP) ou le brevet professionnel de technicien (BPT) en vue de s’insérer dans le marché de l’emploi post stage en entreprise vers la fin de leur cursus soit en tant que salarié ou en optant pour l’auto emploi/entrepreneuriat à leur propre compte. Pour leur formation, les jeunes en apprentissage bénéficient de près de 80% de cours pratiques dans les ateliers du centre et en entreprises dans le cadre des stages d’immersion tout en alliant cela aux cours généraux et théoriques sur site dans les ateliers.

Par ailleurs, les travailleurs des entreprises, des administrations publiques et autres organismes peuvent également accéder aux différents modules de perfectionnement dans le cadre de la formation continue.

Pour cette année le catalogue de formations propose les filières suivantes tant au niveau de modules courts que du perfectionnement : boulangerie/pâtisserie, électricité bâtiment, électromécanique, électronique industrielle, froid et climatisation, mécanique automobile, cycle motocycle et agricole, mécanique de précision, menuiserie bois, menuiserie métallique, génie civil/construction-maçonnerie, dessin bâtiment, énergie solaire, informatique/TIC.

A travers le « guichet voucher » mis en place par le FAFPA et qui sera consolidé avec l’appui de l’assistance technique, l’APOSE contribuera à la formation de quelques 400 apprenants avec une attention particulière quant à l’accès et la rétention des jeunes filles/femmes et personnes fragilisées. Cette initiative permettra non seulement de valoriser l’immense potentiel de ce centre par la mutualisation des ressources, mais aussi et surtout, faciliter l’accès à des formations qualifiantes à de nombreux apprenants et ce dans un cadre d’excellence tout en bénéficiant d’une orientation et d’un accompagnement vers l’emploi.
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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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- 14 February
- By Nita Shala
- Kosovo Office KSV/020
- Education, vocationnal training and employment
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KOSOVO - Inclusion of Municipalities and national stakeholders for capital investments in supported VET (vocational education training) schools
One of the primary focus of the project is to improve the VET offer in Kosovo through creating a new Information Communication Technology for Center of Competencies (ICT CoC) in Pristina, developing qualifications and strengthening a number of selected VET institutions to reach a higher level of efficiency and sustainability. The achievement of these targets is being promoted through the provision of continuous technical and financial assistance to the selected Project beneficiaries. With the aim of improving the sustainability of these interventions and investments, the project has promoted the idea of increasing the level of endorsement and direct technical and financial involvement of the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (MEST), the Agency for Vocational Education and Training and Adult Education (AVETAE), and seven Municipality Education Directorates (MEDs) as the official governing institutions of schools. This has been promoted with activities of research, dialogue and negotiation culminating to the signing of Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) between the project and the Municipalities or AVETAE, in which the process of identification and commitment of financial resources for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of the premises of supported VET schools are summarised.

As a result of an efficient coordination and cooperation between the project and the above-mentioned institutions, the project has managed to receive an additional financial commitment of 2.4 million Euro. From this total amount, 88% of the resources are dedicated for the construction and renovation of schools’ premises, and the remaining 12% are budgeted for the purchase of equipment and consumables. As mentioned above, these additional financial resources committed by the municipalities along with the Project’s budget will be used exclusively for the renovation of premises, equipping of workshops and provision of consumables, which will allow these institutions to improve their performance and enable the student to benefit from a relevant VET offer.

The joint investment between the Project and the Municipality of Pristina has enabled the building of the ICT CoC and the Tourism School in the Future VET Schools' Park in Pristina.
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- 14 February
- By Nita Shala
- Kosovo Office KSV/020
- Education, vocationnal training and employment
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KOSOVO - Recruitment of Private Sector Partners for the establishment of Industrial Bodies and the Industrial Advisory Board in the TVET School.
One of the main challenges faced by the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) sector in Kosovo remains the limited cooperation between the schools and the employers. In order to promote an increased co-operation among these stakeholders, the Support to Vocational Education and Training (VET) Reform in Kosovo Project, KSV/020, is supporting the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (MEST) in the establishment of the Business Model Offices (BMOs) in selected VET schools, The BMO consists of the following units: Industrial Liaison and Career Guidance Unit, Information Systems and Data Management Unit, and Service Provision Unit.

An important component promoted by the Project and MEST through the Industrial Liaison Office in the schools is the establishment of the Industrial Bodies (IB) and Industrial Advisory Boards (IAB) in the selected profiles of the supported schools. The main aim of the IB and IAB is the provision of information to the school related to the trends of the labour market. More specifically, the IB will conduct activities of research, market investigation and middle management, involving directly technical staff of external partners and employers, with the aim to fill the gaps of knowledge and support the limited human resources of the VET schools. Its work will be oriented towards:
- the identification of the changes in the labour market needs;
- further professional development of the teachers;
- the establishment of new partnerships; and
- joint-ventures with the private sector and the creation of professional practice opportunities for the students.
In the meantime, the IAB, formed by representatives of the Industrial Bodies, will seek to provide continuous advice to the school management and the school councils, focusing both on sector and profile level and capitalizing the research and information acquired by the IB.

Seconding the initiative of the relevant stakeholders in the Municipality of Suhareka, the Project piloted the establishment of the IB and IAB in “Skender Luarasi” Vocational School, starting from a workshop that represented the official opening of the campaign of recruitment of representatives from the Private Sector. The event, organised by the Municipality of Suhareka and held in the premises of the school on12 December 2019, saw the presence of the delegates of the MEST, the Ministry of Innovation, the Embassy of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg in Kosovo, LuxDev Country Office and Project, and more than 30 representatives of the national and local business community and Civil Society.

Following the presentation of the functions and goals of the component by the Project team, all the participating local companies have agreed to cooperate with the school for the establishment of IB and IAB for different profiles. The immediate formalisation of this cooperation was done through the official signature of the 14th Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs). Through these MoUs, the management of the school, the MED, the Project and the business representatives committed to work closely together and identify other interested companies in order to cover the remaining profiles offered in the school. In addition, the Project KSV/020 will continue to provide support, technical assistance and coaching for the establishment of IBs and IABs and the development of capacities.

Official Launch of the Campaign of Recruitment of Private companies’ representatives for the establishment of Industrial Bodies and industrial Advisory Boards in “Skender Luarasi” School in Suhareka.
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- 10 February
- By Nita Shala
- KSV/020
- Education, vocationnal training and employment
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KOSOVO - Employment of the graduates of Level 5 qualification for students/children with Special Education Needs (SEN)
One of the major steps undertaken in the implementation of the national reform of the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) System in Kosovo, realized with the support of the Support to Vocational Education and Training (VET) Reform in Kosovo Project, KSV/020, is the introduction of the first two Level 5 qualifications in the public sector. The two courses, respectively in the fields of Special Education Needs (SEN) and Career Guidance (CG), have been developed in cooperation with the international partner Pearson Education and accredited by the Business and Technology Education Council (BTEC). Initially introduced in 2017, both Level 5 qualifications are replicated in four antenna institutions in Pristina, Ferizaj, Prizren and Peja enabling their access to a larger number of students throughout the main regions of Kosovo. This concretizes one of the main aspects of the scope of the Centres of Competence (CoCs), that according to the vision of the Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology (MEST) have to serve as national hubs of VET provision. It is important to note that both qualifications are also pioneering as income-generating activities allowing the CoCs to generate funds which can be used to pay for small expenses autonomously.

Two years after their initial introduction, both Level 5 qualifications are successful, sustainable, in high demand and fully endorsed by the Government of Kosovo and the MEST. A clear sign of this endorsement is the decision of the MEST to employ 100 SEN assistants throughout the public education system. Currently, 70 out of 129 graduates (two academic generations) have concluded regular employment contracts in public institutions. The significant percentage of employment of the SEN graduates (about 54.26%) represents an impressive achievement of the Project’s aim to foster employment in Kosovo, taking into consideration the high rate of unemployment and the general difficulties in professional requalification and access to the labour market. Further, it has an immediate impact on the quality provision of professional assistance to a number of children with special education needs, and a long-term impact in the improvement of the quality of their lives and in the general inclusion rate in the Country.

The success of the qualifications has led to an increased interest of students to join the third generation of candidates that have started to be implemented in November 2019 and it is expected to end in October 2020. Further, the successful rate of employment has prompted the initiative for the development of other Level 5 qualifications required by the labour market which undoubtedly have a positive impact on narrowing the gap in terms of preparing skilled graduates for the labour market, thus enhancing the welfare and development of the Kosovo's economy.

The second generation of graduates in the SEN Level 5 qualification: characterized by a massive presence of female candidates

The second generation of graduates in the SEN Level 5 qualification: Delivery of diplomas with the presence of the Deputy Minister of Education, Science and Technology

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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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- 8 January
- By LAO/029
- LAO/029
- Education, vocationnal training and employment
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LAOS - "If people ask me how I got this job, I just say that I chose the right training”.
Athor, 19 year-old waiter at Amantaka Resortfrom Chomphet District.

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2019
- 10 December
- By MYA/001 Project
- Asia Office MYA/001
- Education, vocationnal training and employment
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MYANMAR - The Ministry of Hotels and Tourism made a technical visit to Manila.
From 10-16 November 2019, a delegation from the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism (MoHT), composed of the Director General U Maung Maung Kyaw, Deputy Director General U Aung Aye Han and nine senior leaders of different departments of MOHT, undertook a technical visit to the Republic of the Philippines with the support of the Human Resources Development in the Hospitality and Tourism Sector Project, MYA/001.

The aim of the technical visit was to provide an unique opportunity to MoHT senior leaders to observe, discuss and experience the work and progress achieved by the Department of Tourism (DOT) of the Philippines, the Civil Servant Commission (CSC) and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), focusing mainly on the outstanding collaboration between the public and private sector, as well as the past civil service reform, aimed at institutionalizing meritocracy and excellence in human resource management.

During the technical visit, the delegation from MoHT also had the opportunity to visit private schools offering tourism/hospitality programs as well as their partner hotels. They were able to visit all the different facilities to gain a better understanding of the importance of Public-Private Partnerships.

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- 10 December
- By MYA/001 Project
- Asia Office MYA/001
- Education, vocationnal training and employment
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MYANMAR - More than 5,200 young people trained and graduated in tourism and hospitality
The Fourth Steering Committee Meeting of the Project "Human Resources Development in the Hospitality and Tourism Sector (MAY/001)" took place at the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism (MoHT) in Naypyitaw on 5 November 2019. A specific focus was put on ensuring sustainable outcomes and successful handover to local stakeholders and government counterparts by the end of the project.

The Project Steering Committee endorsed the work of the project over the past 12 months, with Monitoring & Evaluation data showing that most of the 21 performance indicator targets were reached or on track to be achieved by the end of the project. Results over the four years of the project demonstrate that 50% of all MoHT personnel in headquarters and regions have received training with support by the project, with over 70% improving their capacity and skills. More than 1,000 young people completed a 3-9 month certificate course in hospitality, travel or tourism in government training schools supported by the project. A further 1,700 young people completed entry-level front-line training courses in hospitality and almost 2,500 supervisors and managers were trained across all 14 states and regions.

From 2015 up to the end of 2019, almost 6.4 million EUR has either been committed or disbursed and the remaining amount of the 8.5 million EUR has been allocated to the final phase of project activities, which includes a revision of the Myanmar Tourism Master Plan. Twenty civil servants from MoHT will be assigned to the Centre for Tourism Development and trained and coached by project trainers in order to take over the full operations, administration, finance and teaching in the renovated Ministry building in downtown Yangon.

Approval for an 18-month extension until mid-2021 was agreed by all relevant ministries and the Attorney General’s Office, so that a smooth handover will ensure and all project funds are disbursed according to the workplan and budget.

During this fourth Project Steering Committee meeting, the Government of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar was represented by the Ministry of Hotels & Tourism, Education, Labour, Immigration & Population, Planning & Finance, Border Affairs, as well as representatives from the private sector, tourism associations, educational institutions, and others. The Luxembourg Chargé d’Affaires from the Lao PDR, Mr. Sam Schreiner, the LuxDev Resident Representative, Mr. Quentin Bourdeaux, along with Project staff, also attended the meeting.

The MYA/001 project is financed by the Luxembourg Development Cooperation and implemented by LuxDev.
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- 27 November
- By MYA/001 Project
- Asia Office MYA/001
- Education, vocationnal training and employment
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MYANMAR - Yangon students flying high
On 1 November 2019, Yangon Aerodrome Company Limited (YACL) signed a partnership agreement with the Human Resources Development in the Hospitality and Tourism Sector Project - MYA/001 to provide internship opportunities at Yangon International Airport and to offer select staff of senior operations to teach relevant travel and tourism modules at the Centre for Tourism Development (CTD) in Yangon.

YACL will also collaborate with the project in order to help develop the curriculum to train local tourism and travel students who are interested in aviation and airport operations. The students will be able to draw upon YACL’s industry knowledge to develop their skills and experience in the field.

As part of the MoU, CTD will put forward eligible student interns, while YACL will supervise and assess them onsite, provide trainers, training venues, and working arrangements, among other tasks. Upon completion of the internship program, YACL hopes to create a pool of aviation professionals capable of supporting the growing demand for qualified aviation staff.

The MoU was signed by Mr. Pedro Cavem, Operations and Safety Director of YACL, and Mr. Geert De Bruycker, Chief Technical Coordinator, who stated that “the MoU commemorates the joint efforts between the project and YACL in building cooperation to develop local human resource capacity and to improve service”.

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