The trend of vocational training - a timely 'shift in power'

"Unleashing" prejudice

Teacher Truong Van Hung – Secretary of the Youth Union of Vietnam-Korea Industrial Technical College – has been directly in charge of the school's online career guidance channel for over 10 years. Previously, the story...career guidanceWhile they usually only asked general questions, in the last two years, Mr. Hung has been truly surprised by the change in young people's approach when seeking advice.

“Many 18-year-old high school graduates have raised very profound and practical questions. Instead of vague concerns, they are now carefully questioning the specific job positions for each profession, opportunities for advancement, and actual income after graduation. This thorough preparation shows that young people are no longer choosing careers based on luck or emotion. They are approaching the future with the mindset of true investors: meticulously calculating the costs, time spent learning, and actual profits from their own work. I highly appreciate this shift in thinking,” Mr. Hung shared.

A clear example supporting Mr. Hung's observation is the story of Ho Anh Quan (born in 2002, from the former Quynh Luu district). Despite his family's comfortable circumstances, stable jobs, and the fervent desire of his parents to send him to university for a brighter future, Quan resolutely chose the Korean Technology Department at the Vietnam-Korea University, defying strong opposition from his relatives. Quan independently researched and believed that practical skills were the shortest path to success. After graduating with honors, Quan is now working in South Korea with a high salary, proving that his "against-the-current" choice was entirely correct.

Nguyen Hoang Huu Tai (born in 2006, from Duc Chau commune) also faced the prospect of university with many uncertainties. Witnessing the reality around him that many university graduates were still unemployed, while the cost of studying for 4-5 years was very expensive, Tai boldly chose mechanical engineering. He shared: "I see that industrial zones are severely lacking skilled workers, and after learning a trade, it will definitely be easier to find a job. If I'm ambitious, I can continue my studies later, but for now, I need a trade to support myself." Currently, Tai is studying while assisting his teachers at the workshop to improve his skills and cover his living expenses while still in school. Tai is determined to stay in his hometown of Nghe An after graduation, aiming to apply to large corporations in the VSIP Industrial Park.

Sharing a similar practical orientation is Le Khac Hieu (born in 2003, from Nghia Tho commune). Hieu believes that young people should identify their strengths early in high school instead of waiting until after finishing high school to think about it. Summer part-time jobs helped Hieu realize the value of vocational skills and decide to choose a practical career path instead of spending 4-5 years pursuing a university degree. Currently, Hieu is working in Hai Phong with an initial income of up to 30 million VND – a dream figure, far exceeding that of many long-term workers and even office graduates. In particular, Hieu is confident that his high-skilled technical job will be very difficult to replace by AI in the near future.

Observations at high schools throughout the province show a steadily increasing percentage of students choosing vocational training after graduation. Mr. Nguyen Canh Hieu, Secretary of the Youth Union at Tan Ky High School, stated that while in previous years vocational training was largely ignored by academically strong students, this number has now increased significantly. Alongside those pursuing university entrance exams or studying abroad, the growing number of students enrolling in vocational schools with the hope of securing immediate employment is creating a new landscape in career guidance education in the locality.

Choosing "true value"

With three years of experience working at large companies, Le Khac Hieu concludes that the labor market is indeed harsh but fair. Companies will pay salaries based on the quality of your skills and the products you produce, not the number of certificates on your resume. "Each company will have its own technology, so the most important thing is a willingness to learn and a solid skill foundation," Hieu shared.

Rising from a manual labor position, Mr. Pham Nguyen (Minh Anh Garment Joint Stock Company – Kim Lien) is a shining example of perseverance. Throughout his career, he wasn't content with his current role but actively learned, accumulated experience, and acquired additional skills in machinery repair to handle more challenging tasks. Thanks to this proactive approach, he was recognized by the company and paid a significantly higher salary than the average worker. According to Mr. Nguyen, businesses today are constantly "thirsty" for skilled workers, while the demand for administrative and office positions is very low and competition is fierce.

From a human resources perspective, Ms. Nguyen Thu Trang (Everwin Precision Vietnam Technology Co., Ltd.) explains this trend: “A skilled technician today can earn far more than a mid-level office worker. With a good skill, they not only work for others but can also start their own workshops. Conversely, many university graduates still accept long-term unemployment just to wait for a 'desk job' commensurate with their degree, inadvertently creating barriers to their own careers. In reality, the demand for office positions in industrial zones is currently very low, accounting for only 7% of job openings.”

This trend isn't limited to Nghe An or Vietnam; it's a global phenomenon as young people in developed countries are increasingly abandoning the "white-collar" image to take up toolboxes and create practical products. According to a report from the National Student Clearinghouse, the number of students enrolling in vocational schools in the US has increased by 16%. Similarly, according to the Korea Human Resources Development Agency, the number of young people under 30 enrolling in technical certifications such as carpentry, electrical work, and plumbing has also increased by 24.5%. This demonstrates that the value of skilled tradespeople is being restored to its rightful place on a global scale.

This awareness of reality among young people is forcing training institutions and managers to change. At recent discussions on building an innovation ecosystem in Nghe An province, experts emphasized the need to link research with the market and to provide training tailored to business needs. This demonstrates that even higher education is transforming towards "vocationalization" to ensure employment for students. The current trend of young people choosing vocational training is essentially a correct "shortcut" to meet the real needs of the modern economy.

The "pragmatic mindset" of young people inchoosing a careerThis is a manifestation of a generation that dares to face reality and take responsibility for its own financial future. As outdated prejudices about academic qualifications are gradually dismantled, "refined skills" and "golden hands" will become important pillars for the economic development of the province.