Looking for the dawn

( QBĐT ) - Life is full of difficulties and challenges, always requiring every woman to be strong and strive to rise up, overcome obstacles, assert herself, and build a solid position in society. For them, having a career that is suitable for their abilities and strengths, as well as their passions and interests, is like finding the "dawn" to change and illuminate the next stage of their life. That expectation has been placed on vocational training classes for women, especially vocational training in tourism services, which are not easy challenges, and after the course, many opportunities are opened up.

In early March 2024, Ms. Nguyen Thi Hong Van, Chairwoman of the Women's Union of Bao Ninh Commune (Dong Hoi City) was busier than usual because the union was preparing to coordinate with the Center for VocationalEducation and Support for Farmers and Women (Provincial Farmers' Association) to open a class to teach baking techniques (including traditional and modern cakes) for women in the commune.

Can't remember which class this is, teaching tourism services, Ms. Hong Van shared, Bao Ninh is a long-standing coastal commune and develops services, tourism is considered one of the key economic sectors of the locality. Grasping that trend, many women have boldly participated in vocational training in tourism services, such as: Food processing, beverage preparation, tourism management and marketing, room service..., then, apply the knowledge they have learned and actively participate in the labor market. Some women proactively open restaurants, seafood restaurants; some pursue part-time jobs at restaurants and hotels; many women after learning the profession continue to pass it on to the next generation...

Cooking classes are always attractive to women.

Thanks to that, the income of the women has increased, stabilized and affirmed their position in society. The upcoming traditional cake making training class is also in accordance with the women's wishes to promote their hometown cakes to tourists; at the same time, bringing a new livelihood.

Busy cooking the pre-ordered dishes from early morning, in the evening, Ms. Hoang Thi Hieu (57 years old, in Ha Duong village, Bao Ninh commune) came to Cat Tuong restaurant to be busy cooking special dishes to serve customers.

She shared: “I really like to participate in vocational training in tourism services, so I attended most of the vocational training classes held in the commune and loved them. In 2015, after attending the first class on food preparation, my sister-in-law and I opened a restaurant specializing in cooking for people... Then, I took additional classes on beverage preparation, tourism management and marketing... Thanks to that, besides my passion and strengths, I have the opportunity to learn more skills, experience, and improve my skills. In the class, the teachers are artisans, experienced people, so they teach in a "hands-on" way, enthusiastically and meticulously, so the students are very excited and receptive, easy to apply in practice. I am currently the head chef of 2 restaurants, busy with work but I still actively teach the students who are studying. Thereby, helping them improve their skills and have more job opportunities. Besides the profession I have learned, I want to learn more about making souvenirs from marine products to enrich the tourism industry".

Knowledge and skills from vocational training classes help Ms. Hoang Thi Hieu (first on the right) feel confident in her role as head chef.

According to Ms. Hong Van, vocational training courses on tourism are highly practical because the Commune Women's Union has carefully surveyed the needs of women before choosing a career. During the process of opening classes, the union always follows closely to promptly support women when necessary, and solve difficulties and problems. Thanks to that, the rate of women getting jobs right after training is quite high. However, women also hope that during the learning process, they will be given the opportunity to visit and gain practical experience, especially to visit successful tourism establishments and businesses to learn. At the same time, women also expect to be given the opportunity to improve their skills and keep up with modern tourism trends.

In Bo Trach, the homeland of the World Natural Heritage Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, women in the buffer zone communes and towns of the heritage, such as Phong Nha, Hung Trach, Lien Trach, Cu Nam, Phu Dinh, etc., are very active in participating in vocational training courses on tourism services. Ms. Nguyen Thi Tri Hanh, President of the Women's Union of Bo Trach district, said that women love the courses on: Food preparation, room service, beverage preparation, etc.

Each year, the buffer zone communes organize an average of one vocational training course. The women really want to receive more support in terms of training materials, field trips to tourism models, and more favorable conditions for women from far away to study. In addition, post-vocational training support also needs to be given more attention so that women have more job opportunities after finishing the course, avoiding unnecessary waste.

According to Mr. Nguyen Tien Thanh, Director of the Center for Vocational Education and Support for Farmers and Women, the center has focused on implementing non-agricultural occupations, including tourism services, in the past time, with at least 8-10 classes per year, mainly on food processing, baking techniques, community tourism, and non-alcoholic beverage preparation... In 2023 alone, there were 2 elementary food processing classes with 65 students and vocational classes on basic Vietnamese food processing, baking techniques..., along with some occupations related to tourism, such as: Broom making...

The center always strives to promptly grasp the vocational training policy according to the program, project and needs of learners, creating diverse new occupations, meeting the needs of learners, in line with the development trend of occupations and jobs in each locality. At the same time, the center also actively seeks, mobilizes all resources and organizes vocational training closely, ensuring the process and requirements of all stages in vocational training from recruitment survey, training organization, management, inspection, evaluation to job support.

Notably, the center also supports the construction of start-up models after vocational training, however, it mainly focuses on agricultural occupations, non-agricultural occupations, especially tourism services, have not yet been implemented. Accordingly, each model will be supported from 30-40 million VND to build a cooperative group of 10-15 people. Women will be consulted, trained and connected with cooperatives or businesses to consume product output.

In 2024, the Center for Vocational Education and Support for Farmers and Women will organize propaganda and consultation for over 1,500 workers on vocational training; organize 15-20 vocational training classes for about 700 students. 100% of students meet quality requirements.

Mr. Nguyen Tien Thanh added that the big challenge now is that many tourism service jobs that women are very fond of, such as: beauty spa, hairdressing... are difficult to implement due to limited funding.

Furthermore, each student cannot study a profession more than 3 times and the professions do not overlap. If they want to change professions, students must apply, which creates challenges in improving their skills. Many women who have finished studying lack capital, experience, and partners to start a business and need to take additional basic and advanced business start-up classes. In addition, the survey of vocational training needs should be implemented from the grassroots level and placed with the center instead of the center having to do it themselves, which will be more effective and of higher quality.

The desire of all women after receiving vocational training, not just in tourism services, is to have a job immediately. Therefore, in addition to their own efforts, they all share the desire to receive more active support from relevant parties to start a business or participate in the tourism service production and supply chain; at the same time, they receive regular training to improve their skills as well as learn, share and exchange practical experiences.

Mai Nhan

Source: https://www.baoquangbinh.vn/xa-hoi/202403/tim-ve-anh-binh-minh-2216580/