Countdown begins for ATF 2024, which will take place in Vientiane, Laos with a sustainability theme.
Laos, in collaboration with Team Europe partners Luxembourg,
Switzerland, and the European Union, has unveiled the Skills for
Tourism, Agriculture, and Forestry (STAF) programme, backed by a
substantial €25 million (US$26 million) budget.
STAF's core objective is to enhance the employability of young men
and women in tourism, agriculture, and forestry by providing technical
and financial assistance. This includes improving the quality of
training, expanding course availability (including scholarships for
disadvantaged students), and supporting the transition from training to
employment or entrepreneurship.
The programme aims to directly benefit over 20,000 young individuals,
particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, contributing to
increased employability, job creation, economic growth, and poverty
reduction in Laos.
This instatement of this programme also comes at a pivotal time as Laos intensifies its tourism drive, set to be unveiled at the Asean Tourism Forum 2024.
Enhancing the skills of its youth workforce will play a significant
role in the development of Laos as a high-quality tourism destination.
STAF’s launch was marked by the inaugural Program Steering Committee
meeting, chaired by Phout Simmalavong, Laos' minister of education and
sports. Co-chairing the event were representatives from Luxembourg, the
European Union, and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation
(SDC).
Funding for the STAT programme comes from the governments of Laos,
Luxembourg, Switzerland, and the European Union, with implementation led
by the Ministry of Education and Sports of Laos in partnership with
LuxDev, the Luxembourg Development Cooperation Agency.