A nation on the rise
If you think of Kazakhstan as vast steppes and soaring mountain landscapes, you’re not wrong—but there’s something else on the rise: a young generation of culinary and hospitality educators. With a median age of just over 30, Kazakhstan is brimming with energy, ambition and potential. Investing billions into education and tourism, the government is backing young professionals in a bold initiative: to expand Kazakhstan’s vocational education system, and to train a robust workforce ready for the demands of a growing hospitality sector in the country.
The college behind the come-up
At the center of this transformation is the public College of Catering and Service in Astana—an institution with a clear mission: to train the next wave of professionals with world-class skills and local tradition. Since its founding in 1983, the college has trained thousands of graduates in everything from gourmet cooking to sustainable service design. Now, it’s raising the bar again. After two rounds of public tenders, the college decided to launch three of Global Swiss Learning’s Train-the-Trainer programs—in Culinary, Bakery and Pastry.
Over the next six months, the future trainers will deepen their technical knowledge and sharpen their didactical skills. With high-level webinars, expert coaching, and a final assessment—all led by Swiss instructors—the future trainers will receive rigorous theoretical and hands-on professional development.
Real people, real passion
What makes this program truly exciting isn’t just the curriculum—it’s the people. The program brings together local, public-sector educators and working chefs from top restaurant groups. Yerkebulan Makhmutov, a teacher at the college, took Kazakhstan to the world stage at the WorldSkills Special Edition competition in Switzerland in 2022, placing 9th globally in bakery. He will train alongside powerhouse chefs from Air Astana, the Good Project restaurant group and the ABR Group—a cutting-edge restaurant collective that’s helping shape a new food culture in Kazakhstan.
Looking ahead: A shared vision
Blending Swiss excellence with Kazakh ambition, means local talents lead the way, supported by meaningful partnerships and shared knowledge. Beyond skills and certifications, this partnership shows how building stronger professional education systems means students and young professionals have access to the very best in hospitality education—without having to leave home.
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