Programme Overview

YCI in Vietnam was launched in Hanoi in 2010. The Sheraton Hanoi Hotel welcomed nine young participants into the training programme that teaches them a wide range of work skills whilst exposing them to over 15 skill areas within the hotel operations. The participants came from three SOS Children’s Villages near Hanoi. SOS Children’s Villages provides participants with life skills training during the programme.

The Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry coordinates the initiative locally. Their role involves organising the recruitment of suitable candidates, arranging extra training sessions such as computer lessons and periodically monitoring the performance of participants. The programme cycle started in July 2010 and will finish in January 2011.

Spotlight on Vietnam

The tourism sector is an important factor for the growth of the country both economically and socially because it provides opportunities for households to escape poverty. Alleviating poverty not only happens to be one of the eight UN Millennium Development Goals, it is also a fundamental motive for YCI’s work.

According to the Vietnamese Government, tourism has accounted for 10% of the country’s GDP and has provided 1.8 million jobs for people directly employed in the industry. However, recent government statistics from early 2012 illustrate that those aged 15 to 24 account for more than half of the country’s unemployment, specifically young women who face more difficulty finding work than their male counterparts.

YCI celebrates the graduation of its first pilot programme in Vietnam

The Youth Career Initiative celebrated the graduation of the first pilot programme in Vietnam at the Sheraton Hanoi Hotel on the 28th February 2011. 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.