Vietnamese nurses to work in Germany
About 100 Vietnamese nurses will get training and work in Germany under a pilot programme between the two countries, according to the Ministry of Labour, War Invalids and Social Affairs.
Head of the Ministry's Department of Overseas Labour (DOLAB) Nguyen Ngoc Quynh said nurses who have a college degree and are under 25 years old are eligible to apply for a two-year training course on taking care of the elderly at a German institution.
During their study period, they will get free accommodations and a scholarship of 800-900 EUR (US$1,047—US$1,190) per month to cover their expenses.
They will then take Germany's national exam. If they pass, they will be asked to work in centres for the elderly for three years. During this period, they will earn 1,800-2,000 EUR (US$2,380-US$2,619) per month. Then they can either stay and work in Germany or return home.
Quynh said Germany's aging population puts it in urgent need of foreign caretakers. The country is trying to recruit about 150,000 workers in all sectors, offering high salaries and a favourable working environment.
According to Ministry of Health's Medical Services Administration Department, about 30,000 nurses graduate from the country's 100 nursing schools every year, so this is a great opportunity for them to work overseas.
Vietnam has also reached an agreement to provide nurses to Japan. The island nation needs 2.5 million caregivers in the next 10 years.
More than 80,300 Vietnamese labourers started working overseas last year, mainly in the traditional markets of Taiwan, Japan and the Republic of Korea.