Harnessing South-South and private-public cooperation for upskilling vocational teachers

The Skills for tourism, agriculture and forestry (STAF) programme is strengthening the technical and pedagogical capacities of vocational teachers. Through a hands-on training-of-trainers course on industrial cattle farming, delivered in partnership with the private sector, teachers are being equipped with industry-relevant skills to better prepare students for emerging employment opportunities in the agricultural sector.

The STAF programme supports the enhancement of the technical competencies of teachers from technical and vocational education and training (TVET) and agriculture/forestry (A/F) schools and colleges across Lao PDR. As part of this effort, a training needs assessment was conducted with A/F vocational teachers, which highlighted training needs and effective teaching and training methodologies, with industrial cattle farming identified as a priority.

This initiative aligns well with potential wage employment opportunities for graduates of related agriculture courses. With China’s commitment to import up to 500,000 cattle annually, industrial cattle production in Lao PDR has significant growth potential, driving a corresponding increase in labour demand, estimated at one semi-skilled staff member for every 80 cattle in the semi-intensive system commonly used in Lao PDR.

From 22 to 26 December 2025, the STAF programme collaborated with THACO College, Vietnam, to implement a training-of-trainers course on industrial cattle farming. Thirty A/F teachers from seven TVET  and A/F schools and colleges participated. The training course was delivered in Attapeu Province, where THACO Agri Lao PDR is located, thereby ensuring it was highly practical and aligned with industry standards.

THACO College is a registered private institution in Vietnam with experience in training for industrial cattle farming. As part of the THACO Group, THACO College serves as the training and human resource development arm of the group, including THACO Agri Lao PDR, which is developing a large-scale integrated agricultural complex covering 27,384 hectares in Attapeu and Sekong Provinces, combining fruit tree orchards and cattle farming. As of December 2025, there were 13,500 cattle (on 1,198 ha), with plans to increase to 70,000 heads (on 4,736 ha) by the end of 2027.

THACO Agri Lao PDR plans to hire 7,000 workers in 2026 and 2027, including up to 600 semi-skilled industrial cattle farming staff, making it a valuable private sector partner for TVET and A/F schools and colleges. In addition to building the technical capabilities of teachers, this collaboration has the potential to create pathways for graduates of industrial cattle-raising and veterinary-related vocational courses. The STAF programme is concurrently supporting the development of national occupational standards, courses and curricula for veterinary-related occupations, with course implementation planned for the 2026–2027 academic year.

Lao PDR has, in recent years, attracted significant agricultural investments from China, Thailand, and Vietnam. A key challenge is ensuring that local employment and improved livelihoods result from those investments. Strengthening public-private and South-South partnerships is essential to align training with industry needs, create opportunities for teacher and student internships, and provide job opportunities for local young people. Training-of-trainers courses such as these, in addition to their core objective of strengthening teacher capacity, are also expected to foster stronger linkages between schools/colleges and investors/companies, paving the way for future cooperation.

The five-year (2023–2027) STAF programme is financed by the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, Switzerland, the European Union and Lao PDR, and implemented by the Ministry of Education and Sports of Lao PDR with the support of LuxDev, the Luxembourg Development Cooperation Agency.