Five years ago, the Ministry of Education and Training (MoET) encouraged the development of a tertiary training model for vocational training to balance the country’s human resources throughout the national economy.

However, how to meet people’s educational requirements during economic integration and development remain problematic as due attention has not yet been paid to vocational training.

According to the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, the number of vocational trainees saw a 2.9 fold increase, from half a million in 1998 to 1.5 million in 2008.

Under a project to renew and develop vocational training until 2020, there will be vocational training at higher education level available by 2010.

Over the period 2009-2015, a framework programme on vocational training will be finalised with a focus on high technology. This will reduce the country’s demand for highly skilled foreign workers and increase the export of highly skilled Vietnamese workers.

The project aims to provide vocational training for 24.5 million people by 2020 at a total cost of VND41 billion.

Changing attitudes about vocational training

Some people point out that university is not the only way to secure a good career, as diplomas are just as good. In addition, the labour market has strict requirements for workers. For example, programmes to train engineers are closely associated with market demand.

In fact, many highly skilled Vietnamese workers find employment overseas while Vietnam has to hire foreign specialists to fill jobs in the country. Across the world, short-term vocational training at university level appeared 40 years ago due to growing demands for development of industries and new technologies.

Nowadays, in the context of international integration, university educated workers do not only stimulate economic development but also help to develop society. Cooperation between businesses and universities has helped students improve their professional skills by using advanced technologies. However, businesses also absorb scientific knowledge and information on new technologies from universities.

Therefore, vocational training at higher education level cannot just rely on individual projects. It is important to change society’s point of views, which will help to eradicate prejudice in the community.