Students of Ninh Thuận Vocational School during a sewing class. The cooperation between vocational schools and companies needs to be tightened to improve training quality and solve unemployment. —VNA/VNS Photo Công Thử

HÀ NỘI — Only 12.3 per cent of Vietnamese businesses have regular cooperation with vocational schools, making it difficult to improve the country’s vocational education and solve unemployment.

A report by the National Assembly Committee for Culture, Education, Youth, Adolescents and Children has pointed out that the partnerships between vocational schools and companies remained loose and unable to satisfy the rising demands of the labour market.

Although the cooperative relations have been improved recently, it is mostly schools asking for on-the-job training opportunities for their students while companies play the role of grace givers.

“Germany’s dual vocational training system gives us a good example for connecting vocational schools and enterprises since it provides a wonderful approach to build capacity for trainees. Some 50 per cent of students are offered on-the-job training,” Đồng Văn Ngọc, director of Hà Nội Mechanical and Electrical College, told Thanh niên (Young People) Newspaper.

In Việt Nam, the cooperation between the two stakeholders has only gained attention since 2011.

“Most companies consider training an expense, not an investment for their sustainable development. Therefore, they tend to use seasonal workers,” said Trần Ngọc Tính, former director of Viglacera College.

Sharing the opinion, Nguyễn Công Truyền, director of Việt Nam-Korea Vocational College, said that in most cases schools have to proactively ask companies to collaborate.

“Only a few companies agree to join yet offer students internships with limited remuneration. Some companies even give students jobs which are not suited to their skills,” said Truyền.

Lê Đình Kha, director of Cao Thắng Technical College in HCM City, stressed the growth mindset of both schools and companies as a key to enhance dual vocational training.

Schools are recommended to collaborate with experts from companies to set goals, graduation requirements, develop curriculums and invest in facilities.

“Syllabuses need frequent updates to keep up with changes in technology. Schools should also research criteria that companies set for their workers, organise job fairs and conduct surveys on students after their internships to understand the labour market’s constantly changing demands,” said Kha.

According to Truyền, the partnership of companies and vocational schools will offer a win-win situation for both.

Companies can pilot the manufacturing of new products at vocational schools, at the same time, enjoy the Government’s preferential policies for their participation in training activities.

Vũ Tiến Lộc, head of Việt Nam Chamber of Commerce and Industry stressed upon companies as the main motivation to accelerate vocational training in Việt Nam.

The Government is responsible for developing policies and framework while employers play the role of investor and orientator for the country’s vocational education.

To sustain the cooperation, companies need to join hands in all procedures, from selecting students, training and using workers. — VNS