Crisis-proof: technical vocational training for Viet Nam

Viet Nam is one of the most popular holiday destinations in South-East Asia, so tourism is a major economic factor there. However, the coronavirus pandemic has meant that holidaymakers have stayed away this year, leading to a loss of jobs and income for many people. They are now receiving support from the Vietnamese Government and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). By undergoing short-term vocational retraining, more than 1,000 young people can now acquire new skills to help find a new job quicker. 

Pham Thi Bich Hang from the southern province of Dong Nai is pleased with the received electrotechnical training: ‘I enrolled for the course to improve my job prospects. The trainers were able to give me useful tips and guidance for my future career,’ she remarked. There are courses from various different fields to choose from. The focus is on technical occupations, because they are still in demand even during the crisis, including mechanics, automotive mechatronics, and cooling and air-conditioning technology. The project is being implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH (GIZ). GIZ has the advantage of already operating in the field of vocational training and can use its network of eleven vocational colleges spread across Viet Nam. As a result, in cooperation with the local authorities, GIZ was able to respond to the impacts of the pandemic rapidly and reach those affected throughout the country. 

Thousands of trainees benefit every year

GIZ has already been working on a reform of the vocational training system in Viet Nam since 2012. It is supporting the country’s Ministry of Labour in refining technical training profiles and adapting them to German standards. In the past, technical training programmes were not particularly popular with young graduates, but the project is helping to change that. Every year, around 24,000 trainees benefit from the improved conditions at the eleven vocational colleges supported by the project.