Creating widespread and effective influence in vocational training for rural workers

(Baonghean) -Comrade Doan Hong Vu - Deputy Director of the Department of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs answered an interview with Nghe An Newspaper.

PV: How do you evaluate the current situation of rural labor skills and the capacity of vocational training facilities for rural laborers in our province?

Comrade Doan Hong Vu:Currently, Nghe An's population is nearly 3 million people, the rural area is 2.55 million people, accounting for about 85% of the total population of the province. The total social labor force is 1.7 million people, of which rural labor accounts for about 70% of the total labor force. The number of workers with vocational training is 678 thousand people, reaching 40%; of which rural labor (primary vocational and regular vocational training) is 528 thousand people, the number of untrained laborers is about 662 thousand people. To help Nghe An escape from the state of a poor province, successfully build the new rural program and basically become an industrial province by 2020, human resource development, including vocational training for rural laborers, is an important breakthrough solution, contributing to the implementation of the province's socio-economic goals.

Up to now, the province has mobilized 45 establishments to participate in vocational training for rural workers, including 3 vocational colleges, 8 vocational secondary schools, 19 vocational training centers and 15 other establishments providing vocational training. The network of vocational training establishments has been formed quickly, diversified and developed in over 20 districts, cities and towns. Vocational training establishments are constantly invested in, upgraded in terms of facilities, equipment, and expanded in training scale, promptly meeting the vocational training needs of local workers.

In 3 years (2010-2012), the state budget has been allocated to 24 vocational training units with a total budget of 101.3 billion VND. Of which, 52.8 billion VND was spent on building facilities and 52.8 billion VND was spent on purchasing equipment. The number of vocational teachers in general and those teaching vocational skills for rural workers in particular has been increasing and their capacity has been improved to better meet the needs of vocational training. The vocational training program for rural workers has been increasingly improved and innovated to ensure the requirements of updating and renewing scientific and technological knowledge. Vocational training establishments in the province have participated and achieved many results in vocational training for rural workers, contributing to improving the quality of vocational training for workers in the province.



Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Thien Nhan visits a vocational training class for rural workers in Thanh Chuong. Photo: Thanh Le.

PV: After 3 years of implementing Decision 1956/TTg, what results has our province achieved in vocational training for rural workers, sir?

Comrade Doan Hong Vu:Implementing Decision No. 1956/QD-TTg of the Prime Minister on approving the Project "Vocational training for rural workers until 2020", the Provincial Party Committee promptly issued Directive No. 21-CT/TU on strengthening vocational training for rural workers and included this content in the Resolution of the Provincial Party Congress for the 2010-2015 term. The Provincial People's Committee issued Decision No. 3846/QD-UBND approving the Project on vocational training for rural workers in Nghe An province until 2020; issued a Plan for propaganda, consultation, and career guidance on vocational training and employment for rural workers in the province. Accordingly, an annual Plan for implementing the Project on vocational training for rural workers has been developed for implementation. The Provincial People's Committee has also established a Steering Committee to organize the implementation of the Project with the highest results.

As the standing agency implementing the Project, the Department of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs of Nghe An has presided over and coordinated with departments, branches and sectors to guide districts, cities and towns to develop a Project (plan) for vocational training for rural workers; organize the implementation of the project to the commune level and vocational training facilities in the area.

To date, 20/20 districts, cities and towns have developed projects and plans for vocational training for rural workers in the area; and have established district-level steering committees. 429/480 communes and towns have established steering committees (working groups), with operating regulations and assigned responsibilities for project implementation to members.

Up to now, the whole province has organized vocational training for 20,692 people, 703 classes with a total budget of 34,240 million VND under the Project's policy. Of which, 26 effective vocational training models have been directed: livestock models (pigs, chickens), bamboo and rattan weaving models, freshwater fish farming, embroidery, industrial sewing, motorbike repair, mushroom growing.

Through vocational training institutions, especially non-public ones, social resources have been mobilized to participate in vocational training and conditions have been enhanced to ensure the quality of vocational training have been strengthened. The participation of production, business and service establishments has been mobilized, enterprises have been attracted to actively participate, support and create conditions for rural workers to have jobs or organize production and business after vocational training... The rate of rural workers having jobs after vocational training has reached an average of over 75%. These results have contributed to increasing labor productivity, shifting the structure of rural labor towards industrialization and modernization and poverty reduction in the province.

Besides the advantages and achievements in the 3 years of implementing Project 1956, vocational training for rural workers still faces some difficulties. The dissemination of the Project in some localities is not regular and not widespread to the people, so the awareness of some segments of the population about vocational training is not adequate, there is still the idea of ​​valuing degrees, not valuing vocational skills, and not determining the practicality of vocational training as the basic and fastest way to start a career and stabilize life.

Reporter: Sir, after training, capital for production in the profession learned is a matter of concern for people. So, how is the capital source to help farmers create jobs implemented and how effective is it?

Comrade Doan Hong Vu:According to the report of the Provincial Social Policy Bank, in 3 years (2010 - 2012), the total capital from the National Employment Fund that has been disbursed for loans is: 300,800 million VND, of which the capital from the central budget is 253,080 million VND (accounting for 84.2%), the capital from the local budget is 47,720 million VND (accounting for 15.8%). The loan capital is mainly focused on production, business and aquaculture in the fields of agriculture, forestry and fishery with 164,350 million VND, accounting for nearly 54% of the total capital disbursed from 2010 to present. Creating conditions for jobs and stable income for 15,965 workers in the area.

Over the years, the provincial National Employment Fund has contributed to job creation for unemployed or unstable workers through vocational training; participated in supporting people when implementing major policies of the government and localities at all levels in the province such as: lending to workers in resettlement areas, areas with land recovered, supporting jobs for people with disabilities, exporting labor...

PV: According to you, what should we do to continue implementing the Vocational Training Project for Rural Workers in the spirit of Decision 1956 to achieve better results?

Comrade Doan Hong Vu:First of all, it is necessary to promote propaganda and vocational training consultancy for rural workers, creating high consensus in society to raise awareness of all levels, sectors and the whole society about the role and position of vocational training in general and vocational training for rural workers in particular in developing human resources to meet the requirements of socio-economic development. Annually, organize investigations and surveys on vocational training needs of rural workers and assess training and labor recruitment needs to match labor supply and demand. Review the system of vocational training categories in accordance with the socio-economic situation of the province, prioritize opening vocational training classes to create jobs on the spot in accordance with each profession, cultural level, customs and practices of learners and actual conditions in the locality.

Continue to invest in a synchronous network of vocational training facilities, focusing on facilities, vocational training equipment, and curriculum. Focus on reviewing the system of vocational training categories in accordance with the socio-economic development situation of the locality. Do a good job of selecting, training, and improving the capacity of vocational teachers for rural workers.

Innovating vocational teaching methods according to the "hands-on" method, helping learners understand and remember easily, thereby improving the quality of vocational skills after training.

Create close links between training facilities, local authorities, agencies, businesses and workers, to provide training with addresses and create favorable conditions in terms of capital, land, factories and other conditions for rural workers to have jobs after vocational training. Do not arrange training when jobs for workers after vocational training have not been determined according to the requirements of the Project.

Strengthen the leadership of Party committees at all levels and the direction and administration of authorities at all levels. Improve the effectiveness of state management of vocational training, regularly inspect, monitor and evaluate the implementation of the Project at the provincial and district levels; summarize, commend and reward those who have made many contributions to vocational training for rural workers in a timely and serious manner, thereby creating a widespread and effective impact in vocational training for rural workers to achieve good results.

PV: Thank you, comrade!

Dang Cuong (performed)