The Youth Career Initiative celebrated the graduation of the first pilot programme in Vietnam at the Sheraton Hanoi Hotel. Seven young people coming from SOS Children’s Villages in Vietnam successfully finished the 24-week intensive education course at the Hotel.
Mr. Matthew Everson, General Manager of the Sheraton Hanoi Hotel, congratulated the graduates as well as all partners involved in the implementation of this project: the International Business Leaders Forum, the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI), SOS Children’s Villages Vietnam and his very committed team at the hotel, who made the delivery of this programme possible.
Speaking on behalf of the graduates, Ms. Hoang Thi Thu Huong acknowledged, “during the past six months, we were given the opportunity to go through a training course in hotel job skills, English language, computer and life skills. We were exposed to all the departments in the hotel, which gave us an overall understanding of the hotel operation.”
Mrs. Tran Thi Kim Dung, Deputy National Director, SOS Children’s Villages Vietnam, said:
"the participants turned from school graduates who were new to everything in hospitality, to mature adults with a certain amount of professional knowledge, who are confident to perform in a demanding working environment."
A number of distinguished guests gathered alongside the graduates to celebrate their achievement. Some of these guests included representatives of other full-service hotels interested in joining YCI in the future as well as non-governmental organizations that are keen to supporting different elements of the initiative.
In reference to growth expectations, Mr. Nguyen Quang Vinh, Director General of VCCI, shared his vision of embedding YCI in qualifying full-service properties across the hospitality sector in Vietnam, focusing primarily in locations such as Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Danang.
Six of the seven graduates have been admitted to continue specialized training in the areas of food and beverage, and kitchen at the Sheraton Hanoi Hotel, whilst the seventh graduate will pursue a formal hospitality-training course with the support of SOS Children’s Villages Vietnam.
For more information, please contact: Alberto Canovas, Programme Manager, Youth Career Initiative at alberto.canovas@iblf.org or +44 207 467 3643.