HÀ NỘI — Việt Nam’s logistics sector is facing a shortage of high-quality human resources and needs co-operation in training among the Government, universities, businesses and associations.

Speaking on Thursday at a workshop in Hà Nội on upgrading the logistics workforce, deputy head of the Ministry of Industry and Trade’s Department of Export-Import, Trần Thanh Hải, said only 1,300–1,500 out of over 3,000 logistics suppliers work effectively in Việt Nam. 

Though currently contributing only 2-3 per cent of the gross domestic product, the logistics sector is rapidly growing. In addition, the rate of outsourcing in the logistics sector is low, with importers, exporters and trading firms supplying logistics services themselves, often ineffectively.

During the 2017-20 period, the country needs roughly 20,000 high-quality workers meeting professional requirements, including knowledge of English, and the number is expected to surge to 200,000 by 2030. There are three forms of logistics training: university, vocational schools, associations and businesses. Statistics show that Việt Nam has 15 logistics training establishments. However, the number of teachers remains limited.

Logistics companies do not have regular and long-term employment plans, failing to create momentum for labourers to cultivate their skills. 

Assoc Prof Trịnh Thị Thu Hương, vice dean of the Foreign Trade University’s Faculty of Economics and International Business, urged the Government to continue facilitating logistics activities while concerned agencies and businesses should work closely to outline proper training schemes. The Government should extend international co-operation with tertiary establishments to bring more scholarships to students and lecturers, she said. 

Nguyễn Thị Vân Hà from the Transport University said there was a lack of co-operation between university and businesses. For example, students are not given favourable conditions for internships at logistics firms. Hà urged businesses to co-operate with universities to design training courses for students and help them obtain experience.

The Prime Minister’s Decision No 200/QĐ/TTg sets a growth target of 15 to 20 per cent a year for the sector and 8 to 10 per cent contribution to the GDP. It also targeted to bring Việt Nam into the top 50 countries with developed logistics services. 

According to the World Bank’s ranking, Việt Nam is 64th out of 160 countries in the world and 4th in ASEAN after Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand in logistics development.

With an average growth rate of 16 to 20 per cent a year, logistics has been one of the service sectors with stable development in Việt Nam over the past few years. — VNS