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LAOS - Cross-border Cooperation: Lao teachers upgrade their skills with training from Vietnamese colleagues
Lao PDR is continuing its efforts to enhance vocational education in the tourism and hospitality sector, with a significant milestone recently achieved with support from the Skills for Tourism, Agriculture and Forestry (STAF) programme. Over the past two weeks, 32 Lao teachers from eight provinces and Vientiane Capital have benefited from intensive training in two specialised courses, delivered by experienced instructors from Vietnam’s Hue Tourism College.
This initiative follows the signing last month of an agreement between the Department of Technical and Vocational Education and Training, Ministry of Education and Sports, in Lao PDR and Hue Tourism College. Facilitated by the STAF programme – which is funded by the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation and the European Union – this agreement builds on Luxembourg’s long-term support of Hue Tourism College from 1999 to 2013 and highlights the college’s successful transition from a beneficiary of capacity-building support to a provider of such support in the region.
These 32 Lao teachers undertook a two-week training programme in either Vietnamese Cookery or Barista skills, learning to craft the perfect cappuccino and other coffee specialties. With Vietnamese visitors making up 25% of all tourist arrivals in Lao PDR in the first six months of 2024, this is an ideal opportunity for vocational colleges to expand their teaching curriculum and introduce elements of Vietnamese cuisine to the range of culinary options available to students. The training sessions were held at Pakpasak Technical College in Vientiane Capital, and The Academy Training Hotel and Restaurant at the Vang Vieng campus of the Vientiane Province Technical College, with experienced trainers from Hue Tourism College leading the instruction. The primary goal was to equip these Lao teachers with practical skills and knowledge, which they can then utilise in their own classrooms in the coming school year.
This training initiative is set to continue in September 2024, with another 32 Lao teachers participating in two-week courses in either Bakery or Bartending. This ongoing training underscores the commitment of both countries to fostering good quality educational and vocational training and preparing Lao students for successful careers in the tourism and hospitality industries.
Reflecting on the training, lead trainer for the Vietnamese Cuisine course, Mr. Le Hong Son stated "the Lao teachers already possess strong culinary skills but are eager to expand their knowledge. They approach learning with great care and focus, which is evident in their enthusiasm to absorb new techniques and share this knowledge with their own students. I'm impressed not only by their cooking abilities but also by how well they teach what they’ve learned when asked to explain their methods".
The Lao teachers also expressed their enthusiasm for sharing their newfound skills with their students: "I'm very excited to bring these new skills back to my kitchen and share them with our interns," said Yaeng, the head Chef of The Academy Training Hotel and Restaurant. "I can't wait to teach these new Vietnamese cuisine techniques and recipes and inspire my students to reach for their dreams", added Phaivanh, a Lao cooking teacher from Bokeo Province. They envisioned creating engaging and interactive lessons that would inspire the next generation of Lao chefs and hospitality professionals.
The successful implementation of these training courses under the STAF Programme exemplifies the positive impact of South-South Cooperation. By leveraging the expertise of Hue Tourism College, Lao PDR is making significant strides in elevating the standards of vocational education and training. This initiative ensures that Lao students receive education that meets international standards, better preparing them for successful careers in the tourism and hospitality industries.
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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