Ambassador Vũ Quang Minh (fifth from left) poses for a photo with Vietnamese trainees. — VNA/VNS Photo Phương Hoa

HÀ NỘI – Leipzig, Germany, has officially welcomed 32 Vietnamese trainees who will receive vocational training and employment within the city.

This initiative marks the first time that Việt Nam has dispatched apprentices to Germany to train as train and bus drivers, addressing critical workforce shortages in these sectors.

The welcoming ceremony, held on Thursday, was attended by notable figures including the Vietnamese Ambassador to Germany, Vũ Quang Minh, Deputy Mayor of Finance Torsten Bonew, Deputy Mayor and Head of the Department of Economic Affairs, Employment and Digital Transformation Clemens Schülke, Claudia Pfefferle, Managing Director of St. Georg Hospital, and Katrin Lukas, Managing Director of Human Resources at the Public Transport Company (LVG).

Under this pilot scheme, 14 apprentices will train with Leipzig's LVG, and another 14 will undergo training at St. Georg Hospital. This project stems from economic cooperation fostered by a business delegation from Leipzig to Việt Nam earlier this year.

During the ceremony, Deputy Mayor Bonew highlighted the enduring relationship between Leipzig and Việt Nam, particularly noting the sister city partnership with Hồ Chí Minh City. He attributed the arrival of the Vietnamese trainees to numerous visits and discussions between the two sides.

Deputy Mayor Schülke lauded the significant contribution of Vietnamese workers to Leipzig’s economy, noting that over 30 apprentices have commenced vocational training in the city this year. "This partnership not only reinforces the friendship between Germany and Vietnam but also strengthens Leipzig’s economy over the long term through the inclusion of dynamic and skilled young apprentices. I warmly welcome them and wish them every success," he remarked.

Vietnamese Ambassador Vũ Quang Minh expressed pride in the positive reception of Vietnamese workers, emphasising the importance of professions such as train maintenance, driving, and nursing, which are crucial to both Việt Nam and Germany. He encouraged the trainees to excel in their training and careers, assuring them of the embassy’s support in achieving their goals.

In addition to transport and healthcare, Vietnamese apprentices in Leipzig are receiving training in fields such as culinary arts, hospitality, and nursing. — VNS