Steering committee review of the STAF programme in the Lao PDR

The steering committee of the Skills for tourism, agriculture and forestry (STAF) programme convened on 17 March 2026 to assess the programme's achievements in 2025 and endorse its operational and financial plans for 2026. Co-chaired by H.E. Mr Kingmano PHOMMAHAXAY, Vice Minister of Education and Sports, H.E. Mr Mark GALLAGHER, Ambassador of the European Union to the Lao PDR, Mr Thomas LAMMAR, Chargé d'Affaires a.i. at the Embassy of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg in the Lao PDR, and  Mr Jean-Gabriel DUSS, Regional Director of Cooperation for the Mekong Region at the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), the meeting reaffirmed the programme’s role in strengthening vocational skills development systems to increase employability of Lao people, ensuring that no one is left behind.

In his opening remarks, H.E. Mr Kingmano PHOMMAHAXAY, Vice Minister of Education and Sports, emphasised the alignment of the STAF programme with national priorities and macro-economic planning, including the 10th National Socio-Economic Development Plan 2026–2030, the Education, Science and Sports Sector Development Plan 2026–2030 and the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Development Plan 2026–2030. 

The STAF programme achieved significant milestones in support of vocational skills development in 2025, with over 4,900 participants enrolled in programme-supported training courses in tourism/hospitality and agriculture/forestry during the year. 89% of participants came from disadvantaged backgrounds, including 750 participants who received full scholarships to undertake certificate level 1 formal TVET courses. A total of 187 teachers and trainers across both formal TVET and non-formal basic vocational training undertook continuing professional development supported by the STAF programme during 2025, building their skills, knowledge and competences to deliver labour market relevant training to students.

The STAF programme’s work plan and budget for 2026 were presented and approved, with discussions on further support to the Ministry of Education and Sports for the TVET Development Fund, and the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare for the Lao Labour Market Information System and Public Employment Service, as well as on the recommendations from the programme’s mid-term review conducted in mid-2025, which garnered significant input from steering committee members.

Mr Jean-Gabriel DUSS, SDC Regional Director of Cooperation for the Mekong Region, reflected on how, under the Team Europe framework, the STAF programme has supported the advancement of the TVET Development Fund, stating :

Mr Thomas LAMMAR, Chargé d'Affaires a.i. at the Embassy of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg in the Lao PDR, reaffirmed his country’s continued engagement to promote labour market relevant, high-quality vocational skills development, stating that :

H.E. Mr Mark GALLAGHER, Ambassador of the European Union to the Lao PDR, reflected on the status of the STAF programme as a European Union Global Gateway flagship project, commending the programme on the “completion of significant upgrades to practical training facilities at the Technical College of Vientiane Province and the Luang Prabang Technical College, as well as on the planned EUR 2 million investment in the construction and fit-out of a new practical training hotel and restaurant at Champasak Technical College in Pakse”, partly supported by the contribution of an additional EUR 1 million to the STAF programme from the European Union.

The six-year (2023–2028) EUR 26.18 million STAF programme is co-financed by the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, Switzerland, and the European Union, and implemented by the Ministry of Education and Sports together with LuxDev, the Luxembourg Development Cooperation Agency.