Skills for tourism, agriculture and forestry (STAF)

Context

Despite significant investment in vocational education and training by the government of the Lao PDR and its development partners, skill levels continue to lag behind those of neighbouring countries, thereby lowering the competitiveness and economic growth prospects of the country. 

Strengthening human resource capacity is, therefore, a priority under the country’s 9th National Socio-Economic Development Plan 2021–2025, in terms of both higher-quality education and improved labour-force capacity. Improving the quality, relevance and accessibility of vocational skills development (VSD) services is critical in this regard. This overall goal also reflects the priorities of the Team Europe Strategy 2021–2025, making this intervention a Team Europe flagship programme, co-financed by the governments of the Lao PDR, Luxembourg, Switzerland and the European Union.

Objectives 

The Skills for tourism, agriculture and forestry (STAF) programme aims to foster and facilitate meaningful change in the VSD sector, thereby increasing the employability of graduates to take advantage of job and income-generation opportunities, leaving no one behind in Lao PDR’s socio-economic development. The focus is on two key economic sectors which are considered to have high and labour-intensive growth potential and present opportunities for sustainable and technology-enhanced development and innovation: tourism and hospitality on the one hand, and agriculture and forestry on the other.

Beneficiaries

The STAF programme targets learners, job seekers and micro- or small-enterprise entrepreneurs (self-employed), with a specific focus on vulnerable and marginalised young people. It strengthens the capacity and performance of a wide range of VSD stakeholders, including public and private training providers, employers and other value-chain actors, national and provincial government organisations, including the Ministry of Education and Sports, the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare, the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism, and the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, as well as relevant mass and civil society organisations.

Target geographical area

The STAF programme focuses on Bolikhamxay, Bokeo, Khammouane, and Vientiane provinces. It also provides a framework for identifying, at the provincial level, where the greatest opportunities for job creation and/or self-employment lie for target communities.

In the tourism and hospitality sector, Luang Prabang, Champasak and Savannakhet provinces, as well as Vientiane Capital, offer significant employment and entrepreneurship potential. 

In the agriculture and forestry sectors, (self-)employment opportunities in Luang Prabang province are expanding. Consequently, support is extended to this province, in close alignment with the EU-financed Trade, investment and connectivity in the agriculture and forestry sectors project.

Stakeholders

The STAF programme is funded by the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, and the European Union, and implemented by the Lao Ministry of Education and Sport, and LuxDev, the Luxembourg Cooperation Development Agency.