Training for workers in traditional craft villages must be closely aligned with objectives and requirements.

(Baonghean) - After 7 years of implementing Project 5727 on vocational training linked to job creation, serving the development of small-scale industries and building craft villages in the province, alongside the achievements, there are still many difficulties and shortcomings. At the conference summarizing 7 years of implementing the Project, held on July 16th in Vinh City, the existing problems were frankly acknowledged and many practical solutions for the future were discussed.

Be proactive and anticipate future trends.

It is noteworthy that Project 5727 on vocational training linked to job creation for workers serving the development of small-scale industries and craft villages in our province began implementation at the end of 2008, two years ahead of Project 1956 on vocational training for rural workers of the Prime Minister. Therefore, Nghe An not only "leapfrogged" but also took advantage of all the funding sources of Project 1956 to make vocational training more effective.

Evaluating the implementation of Project 5727 in the province, at the summary conference, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Hoang Viet Duong also stated: Through vocational training, the quality of the labor force has been improved, the development of craft villages and villages with crafts has been strengthened, and the scale of craft villages throughout the province has increased to 133 craft villages and 400 villages with crafts. The quality of operation of craft villages has improved significantly, the effectiveness of operations is getting better, and it has made a positive contribution to the construction of new rural areas in localities.

The rattan and bamboo weaving village in Quynh Dien commune (Quynh Luu district). Photo: Tran Canh Yen

Project 5727, officially approved in 2008, coincided with a time when the rate of vocational training in the small-scale handicraft sector in rural areas of our province was only 20-25%. The structure of vocational training in small-scale handicrafts and the development of craft villages in rural areas were inconsistent in both planning and results; many professions were not yet taught, especially new professions and the restoration of traditional crafts. Given these shortcomings, the implementation of Project 5727, through promoting the socialization of vocational training, improving the efficiency of organization, management, and training, and encouraging the mobilization of resources for vocational training in rural areas, has yielded many positive results.

In summary, after 7 years of implementation, 50,797 out of 58,180 people trained in vocational skills in the province have found employment after completing their training (reaching 87.3%), with an income of 2-2.5 million VND per person per month. Notably, thanks to the significant increase in the number of skilled workers, the percentage of craft villages and villages with traditional crafts in the province has also increased dramatically. From only 65 recognized craft villages in 2008, after 7 years, an additional 68 craft villages and over 300 villages with traditional crafts have been established, with many traditional crafts being preserved and promoted.

Speaking about the effectiveness of vocational training and the development of traditional craft villages, Ms. Sam Thi Binh, Chairwoman of Hoa Tien Cooperative (Quy Chau), said: "The cooperative currently has 60 members, and annually receives many orders from both domestic and international sources. Since its establishment, the cooperative has opened vocational training classes for nearly 300 workers, of whom about 60% have regular employment, gradually developing the craft and ensuring that the percentage of skilled workers is high enough for Hoa Tien brocade weaving to be recognized as a traditional craft village by the province in 2010..."

In reality, wherever there are traditional crafts and supplementary occupations, the lives of rural people are stable and gradually developing. In Dien Ngoc commune (Dien Chau district), from 2008 to the present, with the opening of 13 vocational training classes, including many large-scale classes such as engine operator classes, boat captain classes, and fish sauce processing classes, the awareness of workers about these trades has significantly improved. After vocational training, hundreds of unemployed workers have found stable jobs, and many have become reputable business owners with high incomes. In addition, it has contributed to the development of many new industries such as frozen seafood exports, frozen seafood purchasing, and shipbuilding.

Challenges

Despite achieving certain results, vocational training serving the development of small-scale industries and craft villages in our province still faces limitations and shortcomings. Regarding this issue, Mr. Thai Dai Phong, from Duc Phong Co., Ltd., stated: “Currently, the province has many craft villages and villages with traditional crafts, but it is difficult to assess their effectiveness. For example, there are 39 rattan and bamboo weaving villages, but the number of workers is very small. There are times when we have many orders but cannot find enough workers. It's said that Nghe An has everything, but elevating these products to marketable status is very difficult. We have participated in many international trade fairs, but we don't dare introduce any of our products. Even with brocade, it takes 8 months to a year to gather enough materials to fill a container. Our labor productivity is too low; it takes 10-15 days to make one product, so the economic efficiency cannot be high.”

Some delegates also commented that many of the vocational training programs we offer are not well-structured and are wasteful. For example, training farmers in duck and cattle farming could be extended to three months. Vocational training for rural workers is currently only for women, those past working age, and those with spare labor. Training for young people and those of working age is insufficient, and some professions will face labor shortages in 5-7 years due to a lack of young successors.

Sharing his views on the issue, Mr. Nguyen Van Dung, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Dien Ngoc commune (Dien Chau district), gave an example: People working in seafood processing need a lot of knowledge about food hygiene and safety, but a few training sessions are insufficient to provide the necessary knowledge. Many training courses are not aligned with the needs of local people and are not relevant to reality. Mr. Nguyen Xuan Phuong, Principal of the Vocational Training School for Small-Scale Handicrafts, acknowledged that: Small-scale handicraft industries lack attractiveness; post-graduation income is not as high as some other economic or technical fields, making them unappealing. Rural workers have difficulty accessing loans after vocational training, thus limiting investment in developing these industries.

The report on the 7-year implementation of Project 5727 also pointed out 5 shortcomings in the implementation process: many targets were not met, many vocational training programs were difficult to find students for or could not be opened, such as the production of building materials, ceramics, glass, and fine art stone carving. Training was mainly short-term, with only 64% of the planned number of workers trained at the intermediate and advanced vocational levels reaching the target. The quality of vocational training and the effectiveness of employment after training were not high. Only 11.3% worked in enterprises and cooperatives, while nearly 60% worked in traditional craft villages (already having a trade before training)... There was still a situation where some rural workers after vocational training could not find employment or their employment was not truly sustainable, especially in mountainous districts such as Que Phong, Con Cuong, Tuong Duong, and Ky Son. Some products from traditional craft villages are facing difficulties in sales, and most units are still left to fend for themselves without support or linkages between localities and businesses.

Given this reality, many opinions suggest that, in the coming period, we should not spread training thinly but focus on industries, professions, and craft villages that are truly effective. At the same time, we need to review the more than 500 existing craft villages and villages with traditional crafts. If a village no longer exists or has no potential for development, it should not receive significant investment. Those that are developing well should be prioritized and given the opportunity to expand. Those showing signs of stagnation must be guided and encouraged to develop. Craft villages wishing to revitalize themselves must receive support, cooperation, and commitment from local authorities during the development process.

The conference also agreed on the provincial People's Committee's directive: In the coming period, the selection of vocational training fields must be focused, targeted, and linked to market needs. The development of the plan for the 2016-2020 period must be based on the socio-economic development goals and tasks of the locality. It is necessary to effectively integrate national programs and objectives, the provincial budget for vocational training, and policies supporting vocational training for specific target groups. Vocational training should be socialized, mobilizing local resources, sponsors, joint ventures, businesses, workers, and trainees to enhance the scale and quality of training in the handicraft and traditional village sectors. In addition, attention and policies must be paid to vocational training, strengthening propaganda efforts, guiding students towards vocational paths, and encouraging students to pursue vocational training. Schools, artisans, and skilled craftsmen must innovate teaching methods to improve the quality of vocational training, prioritizing the supply of highly skilled labor to the market to meet the province's requirements and international integration.

My Ha