Future of tourism: Diageo strengthens young talent in Da Nang!

Future of tourism: Diageo strengthens young talent in Da Nang!

Diageo Vietnam's Learning for Life (L4L) project offers a pioneering initiative to support young people in the tourism and hospitality industry. In collaboration with multiple institutions, the program aims to develop highly qualified, integrated and equitable human resources for the service industry in Vietnam. The graduation ceremony for the 2024-2025 training period took place recently, marking an important step in improving the practical skills of students.

In 2024-2025, 25 lecturers will be trained and hundreds of students will receive comprehensive training. Over 60% of trainees are female, highlighting the efforts towards gender equality in the industry. The curriculum is focused on four main skill sets: digital skills, 21st century skills, job preparation and cash skills, to provide young people with a solid foundation for their future careers.

Success and challenges

According to a survey, 95% of students said the course increased their confidence in job hunting. Training materials created by industry experts focus on practical skills such as bartending, menu consultation, communication, teamwork, time management and personal branding. This innovative approach was developed by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Le Anh Tuan, who praised the training progress in the tourism and hotel sector.

The program is particularly relevant given the challenges faced by the Vietnamese tourism industry, with an annual need for over 40,000 new workers and a current capacity of only 15,000 to 20,000 workers. Additionally, only 43% of workers have formal education, while less than 10% have a university degree. Mr. Nguyen Duy Quang, Rector of Danang College of Tourism, highlights the need for sustainable development and addressing the skills shortage.

Integration and outlook

Danang College of Tourism has officially integrated the curriculum into the regular training program. The program not only supports students in integrating into the job market, but also combines theory with practice. Richard Bernard from the Kenan Foundation Asia reports on the success of the project in Vietnam and its planned expansion.

With this educational project, Diageo Vietnam is pursuing a long-term strategy that aims to develop the professional skills of 200,000 people worldwide by 2030. The program has reached over 98,000 people in 36 countries to date and provides essential tools and knowledge for the changing job market. A video documenting the project's impact on Danang Vocational Tourism College students highlights the lasting impact on individuals and communities and highlights the positive development in Da Nang's tourism sector. The intensive training, which took place from February 17 to 20, 2025, particularly emphasized the importance of practical skills and career preparation for the young generation.

Overall, the “Learning for Life” project represents a significant step in training future professionals and plays a crucial role in shaping the future of tourism in Vietnam.