The Chinese-funded Centiennial Vocational School in Angola has for the first time recruited female students. The female intake will study hotel management, China’s state-run new agency Xinhua reported. The new school year started last week.

“The school helps children from the most disadvantaged and needy families, helping us to become professionals to enter the market for skilled labour,” said Rosa Vitorino Biombo, one of the 16 female students recruited for the one-year programme.

The school, sponsored by Chinese state-owned firm CITIC Construction, was established 12 months ago. It has also enrolled 52 male Angolan students to study electrical and mechanical engineering in the new school year, Xinhua reported.

The institution held a graduation ceremony last week for its first batch of 51 graduates. They are already working in several companies in Angola’s capital Luanda, including at CITIC Construction.

Centiennial Vocational School was inaugurated in May last year, and is supported by the Chinese and Angolan governments. It aims to provide vocational training for young Angolans aged between 16 and 24.