Hue City, Viet Nam 8 and 9, December 2018 - As one of the Applying the G20 Training Strategy project’s initiatives to promote business engagement in vocational training, the ILO has been working together with Directorate of Vocational Education and Training (DVET) from Ministry of Labour, Invalid and Social Affairs (MoLISA), Ministry of Culture, Sport and Tourism (MoCST) and other stakeholders from businesses and training institutions in the Tourism and Hospitality (T&H) sector to develop Assessment tools for Front Office and Housekeeping occupations at level 02 and level 03 in Viet Nam following the very first two National Occupational Skills Standards (NOSS).

The zero draft of the assessment tools has been made available thanks to the close collaboration of two drafting teams consisting of specialists from twelve companies in the T&H sector and vocational training institutions, using the Public Private Partnership (PPP) model.

The two groups gathered for 8 technical meetings, and many other small group meetings were organized during the last 5 months. During the preparation period, the working groups received regular technical supports in terms of training, methodology and other technical advice from senior specialists from MoLISA (National Institute of Vocational Education and Training, Vocational Skills Department) and MoCST (Training Department).

Under the context above, in collaboration with Hue Vocational College, the ILO together with DVET organized a two-day testing activity carried out on 8 and 9 December, 2018 for draft computer-based question bank and practicum tests with settings reflecting real workplace situations.

At the opening session, representatives from both DVET, Mr Tran Quoc Huy – Office Chairman and MoCST Mr Nguyen Anh Tuan – Deputy Director, Training Department thanked the working groups for their hard work and gave emphasis to the importance of these assessment tools in relation to effectively closing the gap between the supply and demand of skills. Moreover, the strong collaboration between vocational training institutions and businesses was highly valued and recognized by both ministries. Mr Vu Hoai Phuong, Rector of Hue Tourism College, also expressed the importance of this initiative assessing it as a significant source of reference for Hue TC and other training providers to better understand competency requirements from the private sector, so that their current training programs and curriculum can be adjusted in a more practical and effective manner.

The activity received support from more than 45 specialists and participants from the private sector, vocational training institutions, professional associations and related organizations from Hanoi, and other tourist provinces such as Ho Chi Minh City, Hai Phong, Hue City, Nha Trang, and Da Nang. The testing benefited from the participation of 48 candidates who are currently working in front office and housekeeping at levels 02 and 03 from 10 hotels in Hue province. These candidates were selected to meet the requirements set under Decree 31/2015/NĐ-CP dated 24 Mar 2015 on assessment and grant of certificates of national occupation skills.

The successful two-day testing event provided useful experience, inputs and perspectives for both working groups and Government agencies for a better revision of the draft. The revised version is expected to be submitted to DVET in January 2019 to begin the appraisal process.

This testing activity, as well as the whole development process through the PPP approach, is being piloted with the expectation of developing similar activities for other occupations and highlights the important role of the private sector on setting the grounds for a right approach to skills development in Viet Nam.

For additional information on the G20TS Project please visit our webpage at /g20ts, which can be accessed in Vietnamese as well at:  https://www.ilo.org/hanoi/Whatwedo/Projects/g20ts/lang--vi/index.htm