As per the Vocational Education Development Strategy for the period 2021-2030, with an outlook to 2045 approved by the Prime Minister, the development of vocational training is deemed as the paramount task in human resource development. In 2023, Tien Giang province amplified its collaboration in vocational education and the training of high-quality human resources to cater to the prerequisites for the industrialization and modernization of agriculture and rural areas. Vietnam Business Forum interviewed Mr. Ly Van Cam, Director of the Tien Giang Department of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs, on this matter.
Could you provide an overview of the current state of vocational schools and the policies supporting them in the province?
Tien Giang province presently boasts 26 vocational education institutions, comprising three colleges (including a centrally administered one), three intermediate schools, six vocational and continuing education centers, two vocational education centers, one vocational training and farmer support center, and 11 other vocational institutions, seven of which are companies. My Tho City has three colleges offering training across various majors and occupations, extending from college-level to lower tiers. Moreover, each town/district within the province has at least one vocational school or training center for the workforce.
These educational facilities collectively nurture expertise in 42 professions, spanning health, economics, information technology, mechanics, industrial electricity, electronics, services, culture-arts, and agriculture. Annually, they enroll 3,500 to 4,000 full-time students and deliver short-term training for 8,500 to 9,000 students, catering to the specific needs of companies or individual workers.
The province has committed significant resources to enhance the technological infrastructure and equipment of five provincially administered colleges and schools. Looking ahead to the 2021-2025 period, Tien Giang province pledges continued investments in institutions like Tien Giang College, Cai Be Technical and Vocational Education and Training School, and Go Cong Intermediate School.
Furthermore, intermediate schools and colleges have proactively formed partnerships with universities to address the demand for professions that Tien Giang University may not cover. Presently, the vocational education and training sector struggles to supply sufficient human resources aligned with local socioeconomic development needs.
Tien Giang province has implemented mandatory apprentice policies in vocational schools. These include policies such as tuition exemption and reduction, loans for students, scholarships, primary vocational training support (for programs lasting less than three months), primary vocational training support for young individuals completing military or police service, and support for young volunteers engaged in socioeconomic development programs and projects. Additionally, there are policies to assist workers whose land is reclaimed and to encourage rural workers, policy beneficiaries, and disadvantaged individuals to pursue vocational training and secure stable incomes. These initiatives have significantly contributed to local socioeconomic development, poverty reduction and social security.
What is your viewpoint on the role of vocational training in job creation and the involvement of companies in the training and recruitment process?
The primary objective of vocational schools is to impart Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) to equip graduates for immediate employment. To align with the dynamic demands of the labor market, establishing a relationship between vocational schools and companies becomes paramount. This symbiosis ensures students are adept in the actual technologies and production activities prevalent in the corporate realm.
An aspect of this endeavor involves a reform of training programs and textbooks. This not only aligns with the Ministry of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs' output standards but also harmonizes with the specific vocational skills required by businesses. The approach underscores a significant increase in practical and internship components, constituting 70% of total training time, complemented by a 30% theoretical foundation. Furthermore, there's an integration of essential soft skills and knowledge into training programs, enhancing the preparation of students. This augmentation includes extending internship durations with companies, affording trainees exposure to cutting-edge technology and equipment.
Companies actively engage with vocational schools through participation in school councils and appraisal councils for TVET programs and textbooks. Their insights contribute to the development of tailored training programs that align with their operational requirements. Beyond advisory roles, companies open their doors to teachers, students, and interns, supporting their development through recruitment, financial backing, and investments in TVET activities as needed. This collaborative ethos fosters connections between vocational schools in Tien Giang province and businesses, establishing them as a genuine "extended bridge" for TVET training and retraining. This approach stands as a catalyst for enhancing vocational skills among workers, addressing the recruitment needs of companies effectively.
Moreover, colleges and intermediate schools actively forge partnerships with local and external companies, collaborating with manpower exporters to broaden job prospects for graduates. This includes organizing career counseling programs and job fairs, some of which involve collaboration with Japanese language training units to facilitate overseas employment opportunities for graduates.
In 2023, districts/towns collaborated with the Tien Giang Employment Service Center to hold local employment sessions and thematic sessions for unemployed workers. This multifaceted initiative, comprising 48 job fairs, job exchanges, and consulting sessions, attracted the participation of 220 businesses and over 9,700 workers, underscoring a concerted effort to address the employment landscape effectively.
Thank you very much!
By Duy Anh, Vietnam Business Forum
Vietnamese
October 2024
Hanoi