Australian Ambassador to Vietnam Gillian Bird announced the official launch of the “Our Turn” vocational training project on August 21 in Bac Ninh, expanding educational and employment opportunities for disadvantaged youth across the country.
Project Scope and Target Demographics
Building on the foundation of the previous “Her Turn” initiative, the “Our Turn” project delivers a comprehensive 24-month vocational training program. According to the Australian Embassy, the project focuses specifically on recruiting trainees from ethnic minority communities, individuals with disabilities, and other underrepresented groups. The program provides full scholarships to female students selected for courses in hospitality and tourism, delivered through a partnership with the social enterprise KOTO Vietnam.
“Our Turn will expand opportunities for access to skills, employment, and a better future for Vietnamese youth from diverse backgrounds,” Ambassador Gillian Bird stated during the launch ceremony.
Curriculum and Industry Integration
The training model combines core hospitality instruction with specialized skill development, inclusive workplace practices, and sustainable career pathways. KOTO founder Jimmy Pham AM noted that the project integrates students into KOTO’s basic vocational training while offering flexible, modular pathways for individuals who are currently working or managing family care responsibilities.
Ho Thi May, a student from the K35 cohort of the preceding “Her Turn” program, highlighted the practical elements of the training. According to May, the two-year curriculum combined theoretical study with hands-on experience at KOTO Van Mieu, field excursions, and a six-month internship at five-star hotels and resorts.
Australia and Vietnam Skills Cooperation
The launch reinforces long-standing bilateral cooperation between Australia and Vietnam in vocational education and workforce development. The partnership operates alongside broader bilateral efforts, including the Aus4Skills program supporting technical and vocational education and training in coordination with the Ministries of Education and Training of both countries, and the Aus4Equality initiative supporting tourism supply chains in Son La and Lao Cai provinces.
