The partnership will benefit REACH by developing industry relevant and internationally recognised qualifications for eligible students.

The agreement was signed in by CEO of Chilsholm, Stephen Varty, and Executive Director of REACH Vietnam, Tam Pham Thi Thanh. Photo: REACH

In attendance were Australian Ambassador in Vietnam, Robyn Mudie; Executive Director of REACH Vietnam, Tam Pham Thi Thanh; CEO of Chisholm, Stephen Varty; Chisholm Institute Board Chair, Stephen Marks; Country Director of Plan International Vietnam, Sharon Kane; and Country Director of The Asia Foundation, Michael DiGregorio.

Executive Director of REACH Vietnam, Tam Pham Thi Thanh, on August 9 has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Chisholm Australia bringing the prospect of international certification to students at REACH’s training schools closer than ever before.

“It really is an exciting thing to be happening,” said Thanh. “We’ve worked very hard to develop quality courses that meet international standards and to finally be on the path to receiving this kind of acknowledgement really feels great!”

“We are looking forward to combining our skills and expertise with REACH Vietnam to further the great work they do which contributes so positively to the Vietnamese community. We’re eager to get the program underway and support the next generation of Vietnamese hospitality graduates,” said Jennie Dehn, General Manager International Project Development at Chisholm.

The project was a joint initiative made possible by Leanne Dowler, a volunteer with the Australian Volunteers Program (AVP) a long standing partner of REACH.

“The Australian Volunteers Program has been supporting REACH since we began back in 2008,” said Thanh. “This is yet another way that the organisation has been able to create lasting change in Vietnam and further assist disadvantaged Vietnamese youth. It really is incredible!”

The MOU will form the framework for what promises to be a long lasting and fruitful relationship between the two educational institutions.

“We couldn’t be happier,” said Thanh. “Chisholm is a wonderful institution and what they are doing for REACH Vietnam really is amazing!”

REACH is a Vietnamese nonprofit organization specializing in vocational training, career advice, and job placement services for disadvantaged Vietnamese youth. REACH has six locations around Vietnam and trains over 1000 young people annually. These students include young people who have grown up in poverty, who are living with disabilities, and victims of human trafficking among many others.

Over ten years REACH has trained over 16,000 young people between the ages of 16 and 30. Of those, we have placed more than 80% in stable in employment and REACH graduates earn almost 20% more than the national minimum wage.

On the other hand, Chisholm has been leading the way in providing quality education and training throughout Victoria, nationally and overseas since 1998. Chisholm exists to inspire success and transform lives, with over 36,000 students annually across its eight campus locations, including online and in the workplace.

Chisholm offers almost 900 certificate, diploma, advanced diploma, graduate certificate, degree and short courses. Chisholm also serves one of Victoria’s most culturally perse and fastest growing regions in southeast metropolitan region of Melbourne with campuses in Dandenong, Frankston, Berwick, Cranbourne, Springvale, Mornington Peninsula and Bass Coast, as well as online and in the workplace.

Chisholm is the largest apprenticeship training provider in Victoria aiming to provide quality, practical education and that can enhance the social and economic futures of inpiduals, industry and communities./.