HÀ NỘI — Labour experts say labour market forecasts in recent years have missed their mark, resulting in widespread unemployment among university graduates.

A study by the Hà Nội Job Transaction Market for the first six months of this year found that more than 40 per cent of enterprises need workers with college qualifications and 30 per cent need those with secondary vocational schools qualifications.

But only 17 per cent of the people finding jobs graduated from college, and 11 per cent of those finding jobs graduated from secondary vocational schools, whereas nearly 70 per cent of those needing jobs graduated from universities.

In terms of market demand, only 17 per cent of the enterprises need workers with university qualifications, especially in construction, mechanics and electronics. But most of those seeking jobs graduated from accounting, finance and administrative university studies.

Vũ Thị Thanh Liễu, deputy director of the Hà Nội Jobs Services Centre, said that on average, each company needs one accountant, but receives six applications for the position.

Most companies want accountants with experience, so many graduates are forced to take on other work, such as office or sales workers.

Although the need to accountants is limited, the country still has about 200 universities and colleges providing training in this profession. At several universities and colleges, accounting is the main faculty.

Typically, 900 out of 2,000 students enrolling at the Hà Nội College of Industrial Economics study accounting.

Lê Thanh Bằng, a lecturer at the Banking Academy, said that despite the abundance of accounting graduates, their skills do not meet employers’ demands and they need to be re-trained.

Several schools, for example, have a strong technological faculty, but they still open accounting faculties, he said.

Addressing the problem, Nguyễn Thị Ngọc Trinh, director of the Youth Job Promotion Centre under the Hà Nội Youth Union, said labour market forecasts are very important but have not been successful in recent years.

Doãn Mậu Diệp, Deputy Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, said that due to weak labour market forecasts, students do not have clear guidance leading to redundant work forces in several sectors, such as accounting and teaching.

Surveys, plans and detailed assessments are needed to deal with the problem, he said.

Changing youth’s awareness before registering for colleges, universities or secondary vocational schools is very important, said Deputy Minister Diệp.

His ministry plans to work together with the Central Youth Union to survey unemployed youth and recommend a study path for them.

Concerned organisations will implement surveys of market demand so that schools can adjust their training curricula accordingly. — VNS