Clarifying shortcomings in vocational training and labor export.

Comrade Nguyen Thi Thu Huong - Member of the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee, Head of the Provincial Propaganda Department, and Head of the Culture and Social Affairs Committee of the Provincial People's Council - chaired the meeting. Photo: Minh Chi

According to the Department of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs, in implementing the recommendations following the monitoring of vocational training by the Culture and Social Affairs Committee of the Provincial People's Council in May 2015 and the conclusions of the questioning by the Standing Committee of the Provincial People's Council at the 4th session (2017) of the 17th Provincial People's Council, term 2016-2021, on vocational training; with its function of advising and managing state affairs in this field, the Department has advised the province and coordinated with other departments and agencies to implement many of the recommended contents.

Accordingly, propaganda work on vocational training, job placement, and overseas labor export has been strengthened, creating a shift in awareness among all levels, sectors, and workers in this field. The Department has also coordinated with localities to review and merge vocational training centers and continuing education centers; reducing the number from 33 to 20 centers.

The Department has also coordinated with several other departments and agencies to implement numerous recommendations and conclusions related to adjusting the allocation norms for recurrent expenditure budget for vocational training from 5.7 million to 8 million VND/year/learner for college-level programs, and from 5 to 7 million VND for intermediate-level programs.

The work of career guidance, vocational training, and placement of students after lower and upper secondary education is receiving attention. Last year, 42% of high school graduates did not register to take the university entrance exam.

Deputy Head of the Culture and Social Affairs Committee of the Provincial People's Council, Nguyen Thi Lan, raised several issues requiring attention and requested the Department of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs to clarify them. Photo: Minh Chi

Based on practical monitoring in several localities and vocational training institutions, during the working session, some members of the monitoring team raised several issues. Ms. Nguyen Thi Lan, Deputy Head of the Culture and Social Affairs Committee of the Provincial People's Council, requested the Department of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs to analyze and clarify the basis for determining the average vocational training rate of the entire province at 53.1%. Meanwhile, monitoring in some localities considered to have done well in this area, such as Yen Thanh, showed only 48%, or Nam Dan at 45%, and even lower at the grassroots level, such as Do Thanh commune (Yen Thanh) at only 32% and Nam Thanh commune (Nam Dan) at 35%.

The proportion of the workforce with formal college and vocational training remains low, at only 15% of the total workforce receiving vocational training; the quality of training at vocational schools and the effectiveness of post-training are questionable; vocational training partnerships at some training institutions are not aligned with approved fields; and vocational training funds are being allocated through multiple management channels, resulting in fragmentation…

The Deputy Director of the Department of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs explains the issues of concern to the inspection team. Photo: Minh Chi

Addressing several issues of concern to the inspection team, including those related to the effectiveness of post-vocational training, Mr. Dang Cao Thang – Deputy Director of the Department of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs – affirmed that all trainees have opportunities to find employment; however, some trainees do not want to work in enterprises or production facilities but prefer to find employment on their own.

Concluding the meeting, Ms. Nguyen Thi Thu Huong, Member of the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee, Head of the Provincial Propaganda Department, and Head of the Culture and Social Affairs Committee of the Provincial People's Council, acknowledged the efforts of the Department of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs in leading, directing, and managing state affairs in the fields of vocational training, job placement, and overseas labor export.

In addition, the Head of the Culture and Social Affairs Committee, Nguyen Thi Thu Huong, also raised a number of concerns related to the Department of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs' claim that there is no shortage of jobs and many job orders cannot recruit enough workers, but in reality, many workers are still unemployed; although propaganda, counseling, and career guidance have been intensified, many vocational schools are still facing difficulties in recruitment; on the other hand, despite many solutions to prevent absconding after the expiration of labor contracts abroad, the rate of absconding is still increasing.

Comrade Nguyen Thi Thu Huong - Member of the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee, Head of the Provincial Propaganda Department - concluded the working session. Photo: Minh Chi

Based on that situation, the Head of the Culture and Social Affairs Department, Nguyen Thi Thu Huong, requested the Department to analyze and clarify the causes, and then find solutions to overcome them, ensuring that vocational training, job placement, and overseas labor export are truly effective by providing workers with jobs and income, and creating an environment to promote overall development.

The Head of the Culture and Social Affairs Committee of the Provincial People's Council also requested the Department of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs to review policies under the local authority's purview in this field to advise on adjustments, additions, or replacements to promote vocational training, job placement, and overseas labor export more effectively in the future, while also addressing emerging limitations and shortcomings.