SIEM REAP – Under the high authorization of H.E. Huot Hak, Minister of Tourism, H.E. Pak Sokhom, Secretary of State of the Ministry of Tourism and Chairman of the HoKa Project Management Committee, presided over the closing ceremony of the 4th Hospitality Vocational Training Program (Academic Year 2025). During the ceremony, certificates were awarded to 78 successful graduates from Spoons Cambodia Organization in Siem Reap province.
The ceremony was attended by H.E. Ngov Seng Kak, Deputy Governor of Siem Reap Province, alongside local authorities, donors, representatives from various NGOs and associations, hotel industry stakeholders, students, parents, and partners, totaling approximately 200 participants.
With the continued support of the Ministry of Tourism in 2025, Spoons Cambodia has trained an additional 78 students hailing from eight surrounding provinces. The specialized training programs included:
1. Food and Beverage Services
2. Cooking
3. Baking and Pastry
4. Barista
The graduates completed a comprehensive 12-month HoKa training curriculum, consisting of seven months of theoretical classroom instruction and five months of practical internship at various business establishments, restaurants, hotels, and the Spoons Cambodia headquarters. This initiative was supported by the Skills Development Fund (SDF) of the Ministry of Economy and Finance, Child’s Dream Organization, and Spoons Cambodia.
Throughout the program, students received full scholarships covering monthly stipends, accommodation, meals, learning materials, health and accident insurance, psychological support, and job placement assistance.
In collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism, Spoons Cambodia aims to expand its scope by providing further vocational training, establishing alumni capacity-building programs, and diversifying the social enterprise products of Spoons Cafe. These efforts are designed to ensure the long-term sustainability of their training initiatives.
Background: Established in 2009, Spoons Cambodia is a non-profit organization that recruits underprivileged youth aged 18 to 24—including those from impoverished families, ethnic minorities, or school dropouts—with a high priority given to women. To date, the organization has provided 100% scholarships in hospitality skills to over 600 young professionals.
