With the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation (LMC) Special Fund 2023, hotel service training courses were conducted at the Center for Tourism Development (CTD) training school in Kengtung, a town in eastern Myanmar's Shan state from May 28 to June 10, according to the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism.

The training included front office services, food and beverage services, and housekeeping, an official from the Directorate of Hotels and Tourism, Kengtung Branch told Xinhua.

As the first-ever hotel service training of its kind in Kengtung, the initiative represents a major opportunity for local residents. In addition to practical skills, trainees received certificates that can enhance their career prospects both locally and internationally, he said.

"I'm truly grateful for the LMC-funded projects. They have made it possible to launch such training programs even in remote areas like Shan state," he said, adding that these initiatives provide vocational support that can significantly improve the lives of local residents.

Khin Thet Thet Mar, a front office services trainer, emphasized the value of the program: "This is a truly beneficial project, not only for this region but for the entire country. I am proud to contribute to the LMC-funded training courses."

The trainers, who are ASEAN-certified professionals, facilitated discussions to assess how the trainees' current jobs align with the training content. Many found that the lectures addressed real challenges they face in their work, helping them enhance their job performance, she said.

"A total of 62 trainees participated in the program, which was guided by three main trainers and two assistant trainers. For all participants, this was their first time attending formal hotel service training," she added.

Sai Kyaw Htwe, 23, from the front office services course, said, "I joined the front office services training course because I have been working as a front officer at a hotel in Kengtung for the past three years, and I wanted to deepen my knowledge to improve my performance at work."

"Throughout the training, I learned how to provide better customer service, maintain professional grooming, follow hygiene standards, and understand the full scope of duties and responsibilities at the front office," he said.

"Even though the course was short, it was very effective. I learned practical dos and don'ts and how to handle errors and challenges on the job. Seeing other motivated trainees around me inspired me to work even harder," he added.

Htet Htet Lin, 35, from the housekeeping course, said, "I decided to join the housekeeping course out of curiosity, to learn what skills are needed and what kind of experience I could gain from formal training. I had prior work experience but had never attended structured teaching like this before."

"This course taught me the importance of teamwork and highlighted which areas need to be prioritized when cleaning. In the past, we did things based on what seemed okay at the time, but now we are able to work systematically. I sincerely thank China for supporting such valuable training programs," she said.

Wai Lin Kyaw, 21, from the food and beverage services course, said, "I previously worked in a restaurant, but I had little understanding of how hotel service works. This training introduced me to the hotel service industry, and now I feel more confident and informed. As my next step, I plan to pursue a career in hotel services."

There are now two CTD training schools in Myanmar -- one in Yangon and one in Kengtung, marking a significant step forward in vocational training access across the country, according to the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism.