‘Youth Career Initiative' opens up new opportunities for disadvantaged youth

The six-month training course at high-end hotels in Hanoi has offered free-of-charge training and finance for 33 disadvantaged youths, in order to attend training hours at hotels in Hanoi, learn specialised English language courses, life skills, personal financial management and extra-curricular activities.

Upon graduation, 29 out of the 33 trainees were admitted to work at 5-star hotels and other high-end hotels and restaurants, while the remaining others are attending interviews at other restaurants in Hanoi.

The 2017-2018 YCI programme has been implemented with collaboration between the non-government organisation REACH and a number of five-star hotels, including Hilton Hanoi Opera, Hilton Garden Inn Hanoi, InterContinental Hanoi Westlake, JW Marriott Hanoi and Sheraton Hanoi.

“Participants in the YCI programme have access to a real working environment that is completely different from their visions of work. Six months working with the hotel staff and the head of different departments, who have given instructions and shared their valuable experience with you, is your ticket towards success and maturity in the job”, said Nguyen Chung Thuy, Executive Sous Chef at the Hilton Hanoi Opera.

In 2018, the YCI programme plans to extend its partnership to more 5-star hotels in Hanoi in order to increase the number of beneficiaries.

As many as 173 disadvantaged youths have benefited from the YCI programme after five years of its implementation, with 84% of trainees getting a job upon completion of the training course.