Third Sector sits down with KOTO Founder Jimmy Pham AM
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TS: What inspired KOTO?
The KOTO concept sprang from wanting to provide jobs for many children I had looked after in the past. I also knew that I wanted KOTO to be more than just a vocational training program, but instead a place of belonging; a home; a family and a place of empowerment. I also wanted it to provide holistic training; life skills and English – combined these would make KOTO a special place.
TS: How does the program work?
KOTO takes in about 30 trainees in both Hanoi and Saigon every six months aged between 16-22 years of age. The trainees come from varied disadvantaged backgrounds and the program takes them on an amazing life transformation journey through a unique two year program providing hospitality, English and life skill training. Community, social and mental health developments, physical education and family interactions are provided as part of the program – we also provide accommodation and a designated house parent.
At the end of the program, these young adults are placed in top hotels and restaurants across the country – to date KOTO has achieved 100 per cent job placement success. What’s more impressive is that the graduates pass their knowledge and skills on often to new recruits.
TS: As an innovator, what do you envisage the future of KOTO to look like?
Over 80 per cent of KOTO staff members are program graduates who are passing on their skills and knowledge at the KOTO restaurants. In the future, more of our graduates who have worked and studied in management and leadership will return from training in Australia – we envisage that these leaders will run the KOTO of the future.
Social enterprise will take a lead in solving tomorrow’s problems by running successful social businesses. More entrepreneurial individuals will take leadership roles – many will be encouraged to run their organisations with a triple bottom line focus; people, profit and planet.
TS: What inspired you most on your journey?
The biggest source of motivation for me was and still is ‘my kids.’ No other job in the world allows me to see visible changes to lives. Knowing that I am very much a part of these changes is very important to me.
Seeing Vietnam grow so much in just 20 years from a third world country to a now developing country – being an active part of facilitating some of these changes almost two decades is such an honour.
Knowing that you’ve started something that is innovative and being involved in something that potentially can solve so many social issues is such a great experience.
TS: If you could give one piece of advice to other aspiring NFP entrepreneurs what would it be?
Be an innovator and have the courage to make change happen.
