A Lack of Trained Laotian Hospitality Professionals: Business Plan for a Hospitality School in Pakse, Laos: A Possible Solution. Kevin Allen and Dr. Stephen Lynch School of Hospitality and Tourism Management University of Guelph

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A Lack of Trained Laotian Hospitality
Professionals Business Plan for a Hospitality
School in Pakse, Laos A Possible
Solution.Kevin Allen and Dr. Stephen
LynchSchool of Hospitality and Tourism
ManagementUniversity of Guelph
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Overview

• Lao P.D.R.
• Ministry of Education
• Lao National Tourism Administration (LNTA)
• LNTA Hospitality Training Center
• Industry Needs and Challenges
• Champasak School of Hotel and Restaurant
  Management

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Needs

• Need for practical skills training in traditional
  areas.
• Development of a workforce cannot be achieved
  through the offering of academic programmes alone
  
• Technical skills-training at both basic and
  advance levels for all teachers is required
• To improve existing courses, increase capacity
  and to develop a system of standards in the area
  of training for tourism.

Lao National Tourism Administration, 2009
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Challenges

• Shortages of qualified teachers and instructors.
• Outdated theory based programmes and teaching
  methods.
• Lack of practical training facilities, equipment,
  and resources.
• Quality and scope of the training delivery does
  not meet industry requirements

(Lao National Tourism Administration, 2009)
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Challenges

• Capacity to deliver training does not yet meet
  international norms.
• Availability and access to training options is
  very limited.
• Training programmes offered are mismatched to the
  needs of the industry with emphasis on hotel
  management subject rather than much needed
  vocational skills

Lao National Tourism Administration, 2009
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Challenges

• Cultural Divide
• Joint-venture ownership between Lao/Thai,
  Lao/Vietnamese, or between Lao/Chinese.
• Visitors from Thailand and Vietnam expect a
  higher standard of service
• Thai hospitality professionals in key
  administration positions.

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How to Meet the Need

• Skill-based programs that will re-enforce a
  service mindset are critical and very achievable.
  
• Job progression in the hospitality industry is
  through the ranks from entry level to
  management positions.
• Little opportunity to rise and assume key
  management positions.
• International Standards

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How to Meet the Need

• Initiatives must be rooted in the education
  standards of Laos and international education
  standards of the hospitality industry.
• Clear operating standards need to be developed
  within the Champasak Hotel and Restaurant
  Association.
• Providing education matched to the operating
  standards ensures clear expectations of job
  performance.
• Standards must include both skill and leadership
  development.
• The education and training must have in-class and
  experiential components to re-enforce these
  standards.

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The School

• Problem- based Learning
• Generic Skill Development
• Competency Development

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The School

• Potential Students
• Competition
• Operations
• Tuition
• Potential Locations

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Thank You