Freight industry faces serious staff shortage
HCM CITY — The logistics sector, which is growing in the country, is in serious need of personnel, according to Tran Huy Hien, secretary general of Viet Nam Freight Forwarders Association (VIFFAS).
At a workshop held last Saturday by Logistics Knowledge Company in HCM City, Hien pointed out that Viet Nam could become a cargo trans-shipment centre for populated markets because of its location on a maritime axis.
In recent years, the Government has placed more emphasis on the logistics sector, which aids manufacturing and distribution systems as well as cargo flows.
Many long-term strategies for logistic-service development have been approved, including one that is part of an overall strategy on the development of the service sector by 2020.
The aim is for the logistics sector to reach 20-25 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP) by 2020.
To achieve this, the Government has increased investment in the building of highways, airports and ports.
According to Research and Logistics Development Institute under VIFFAS, more than 18,000 people are needed for the next three years for the logistic services sector.
Manufacturers as well as trading and service businesses will be in need of one million staff with logistic knowledge by 2020.
According to VIFFAS, the current supply of human resources for the sector only meets around 40 per cent of demand, with most logistics services faced with a shortage of qualified staff.
Duong Thi Kieu Chinh, head of the Logistics Knowledge Company, said many students did not know about the field, and that universities and other organisations should provide guidance about potential careers.
A university specialising in logistics should be established in Viet Nam, according to Hien.
He said that people who wanted jobs in this sector could attend short-term training courses.
Currently, short courses in logistics are offered by the International Federation of Freight Forwarders Association, the International Air Transport Association and the institute.
The Viet Nam Logistics Review Online website recommends that the country develop a long – term strategy at a national level, including funding and technical support and the development of standards and certification.
In addition, it suggested that the Ministry of Education and Training encourage universities and colleges of economy and trade to open more logistics faculties, and help them develop standardised curricula.
Provinces with the potential for seaport services and logistics such as Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province should also create training programmes for management pesonnel and local authorities to enhance their understanding of the sector, the online website said. — VNS