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LAOS - Empowering Lao youthHow vocational skills development transformed Lotjana’s and Tong’s lives
Six months ago, the Muong Thanh Hotel in Vientiane welcomed two new staff members to its team: Lotjana as a waitress and Tong as a barista. Both were recent graduates from the Vientiane Professional Development College (VPDC), Vientiane Capital, where they had completed the three-month Certificate Level 1 in Food and Beverage Service course. Their participation was made possible through the support of the Skills for Tourism, Agriculture and Forestry (STAF) programme. These talented young women are now bringing their skills, enthusiasm and professionalism to the five-star Muong Thanh Hotel, marking a significant milestone in their lives.
Lotjana’s journey
Lotjana, a 17-year-old from Pak Ngeum District, Vientiane Capital, faced significant challenges growing up. Due to her family’s financial difficulties and to help support her relatives, she had to drop out of school in her last year of high school and had been working part-time on weekends as a waitress in a local restaurant. Despite these tough times, Lotjana's determination to build a better future for herself never wavered.
Her path took a transformative turn when she learned, from her village head, about VPDC and the different courses it offered with the support of the STAF programme. Her parents, supportive of her ambitions, encouraged her to pursue this opportunity. Driven by her desire to serve and help people, it was no surprise that Lotjana chose to enrol in the Food and Beverage Service course.
Initially, Lotjana was unsure about the level of support she would receive. She assumed the college would only cover her tuition fees, requiring her to find part-time work to pay for additional expenses. To her surprise, VPDC – supported by the STAF programme – provided comprehensive financial assistance to students from disadvantaged backgrounds. "But that was not all," Lotjana remarked. "I also got to participate in a study tour, the school helped me open a bank account and they organised a job fair which enabled me to find a suitable position where I could immediately put my skills into practice and start my career journey in hospitality."
Through the course, Lotjana acquired a variety of new skills, including how to make cocktails, mocktails, and a range of coffee-based drinks. She also benefited from career counselling and continuous support from the teachers and is grateful for the extensive networking opportunities provided. Initially apprehensive about joining a prestigious hotel such as the Muong Thanh, specially at her young age, she swiftly gained confidence, bolstered by the encouragement of her teachers and the supervision she received both at college and on the job.
Reflecting on her journey, Lotjana proudly acknowledges the significant impact of the support she received on her life. "The course enabled me to gain a sense of professionalism and to secure a job. Now, I can financially support my family and repay our debts which have increased since my mother has been unwell," she shared. Appreciative of her experience, Lotjana emphasises, "without VPDC and the STAF programme, I wouldn’t be where I am today".
Tong’s story
In December 2023, Tong, an 18-year-old from Thaphabat District, Bolikhamxay Province, graduated from the Food and Beverage Service course at VPDC and attended the job fair organised by the college. Just a few weeks later, in early January 2024, she began her professional career at the renowned Muong Thanh Hotel. Tong’s journey to success is a great testament of perseverance, support, and personal growth.
Coming from a humble background, Tong had to forgo high school due to financial constraints. As the second of four siblings, she contributed to her family’s income by assisting her mother in making rice steam boxes and selling wild produce at the market with her father. Her life took a hopeful turn when her sister, who heard about VPDC through word of mouth, suggested the Food and Beverage Service course as an opportunity for Tong.
Her mother agreed to let Tong move from Bolikhamxay Province to Vientiane Capital, reassured by the fact that her sister already lived there and worked as a barista at Café Amazon. This familial support played a crucial role in Tong’s decision to pursue her interest in hospitality as a career.
At VPDC, Tong received comprehensive support, including a stipend, dormitory accommodation, equipment, uniforms, and health insurance. The course equipped her with essential skills, such as beverage preparation, table arrangements and delivery of excellent service to customers. "The course provided me with valuable knowledge and practical skills that I can apply in real-life situations," Tong reflected.
Her initial apprehension about the hotel's size and reputation quickly faded thanks to the encouragement of her teachers and her friend and colleague, Lotjana. "The teachers at VPDC were incredible – they taught, counselled, and understood me," Tong said with admiration.
Tong’s personal growth is remarkable. Once shy, she has gained confidence by interacting with guests and learning from her friendly colleagues. She feels incredibly fortunate for the support provided by VPDC and the STAF programme which she credits for enabling underprivileged Lao people to continue their education, build careers, and open doors she once thought were forever closed. "I never thought education would be back on the table for me until I heard of the VPDC course and the support from the STAF programme. It has clearly enabled me to have a bright future," she shared.
Since starting her job, Tong has been sending half her salary to her parents and family. The first time, her family cried tears of pride and joy, never imagining that their daughter would have the chance to go back to school and work in a five-star hotel. Tong’s motivation stems from a desire to help her family. "The happier they are, the more I want to help them and support them. It makes me feel very proud," she explains.
Tong’s future goals are deeply rooted in her love for her family, which is why she dreams of one day opening her own café in her hometown. For now, she plans to continue working at the hotel to save money and gain precious experience. Tong’s journey, much like Lotjana’s, showcases the power of perseverance and community support. "Without this opportunity, my life would be very different from the one I have today," Tong concluded.
Praise from their supervisors
Souchidta, the Human Resources Manager at the hotel, expressed satisfaction with the collaboration with VPDC, stating "we are thrilled with the students we've recruited from VPDC and look forward to continuing this partnership. The team is very pleased with their performance, and we hope to bring in more VPDC graduates, especially as we prepare for upcoming ASEAN events".
Thipphavone, the Assistant Food and Beverage Manager and direct supervisor of Lotjana and Tong, is equally impressed. "The students from VPDC are fast learners with a strong set of skills and professionalism. While they need to adapt to our specific techniques and work environment, their training is clearly evident in the excellent service they provide to our guests," she remarked. Thipphavone also highlighted the hotel's commitment to ongoing staff development through training programmes in various fields, noting that Tong and Lotjana’s careers are promising. They will have the opportunity to follow further training, including advanced skill acquisition in Vietnam.
Both stories are powerful testaments to the profound impact of VPDC and its teachers. They illustrate how targeted support and relevant vocational skills development services can transform lives, offering hope and opportunities to those in need.
The Skills for Tourism, Agriculture and Forestry programme is co-financed by Lao PDR, the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, Switzerland and the European Union, and jointly implemented by the Lao Ministry of Education and Sports and LuxDev, the Luxembourg Development Cooperation Agency.
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