Addressing the soft skills gap in the tourism and hospitality industry

The project is part of a collaboration between Hanoi Tourism College, Diageo Vietnam, and Kenan Foundation Asia.

According to Trinh Cao Khai, the principal of Hanoi Tourism College, the event marks an important milestone in the collective efforts of the college and its partners to enhance professional skills, capabilities, and career opportunities for young people.

"In the tourism industry, staying updated with new knowledge and skills is essential to ensure that the tourism workforce can meet the demands of the labour market. Through the course, the students will enhance their career opportunities and employability in the restaurant and hotel sectors," Khai stated.

He added that the training programme at the college is designed with the objective of building capacity, enhancing knowledge and skills in digital technology, 21st-century soft skills, and preparing students for employment opportunities in the restaurant and bar industry.

Richard Bernhard, the country director of Kenan Foundation Asia, stated that the project in Hanoi builds upon the success of a similar programme that was previously implemented in Danang.

More than 90 per cent of the students who participated in the four training courses in Danang evaluated their satisfaction levels as very satisfied or satisfied. The students' skills showed impressive improvements as a result of the training.

"We believe that the project will generate positive changes for the younger generation in the tourism industry in Vietnam, empowering them to confidently assert themselves and achieve success in the future," Bernhard said.

Nearly 200 students in Hanoi will have the opportunity to participate in training courses on bartending skills and essential soft skills such as digital applications, leadership, teamwork, creativity, communication, critical thinking, decision-making, and problem-solving. These skills are essential to meet the practical requirements of the tourism industry.

According to Huynh Thi Thanh Truc, corporate relations director at Diageo Vietnam, the project is an integral part of Diageo's commitment to inclusion and diversity. It is also a part of Diageo's 10-year environmental, social, and governance strategy, known as the Spirit of Progress.

"Bringing this project to Vietnam allows us to contribute to the development of the hotel and tourism industry while ensuring equal learning and development opportunities for students from both major cities and smaller towns, with at least 50 per cent of them being women. We are equipping the younger generation with updated and essential skills to build a dynamic tourism sector," Truc noted.

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