Australia extends support for Vietnam’s vocational education and training

The Australian Embassy in Vietnam and Vietnam’s Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (MOLISA) have launched Australia’s next phase of support for Vietnam’s vocational education and training (VET).

This next phase of support, valued up to AUD13.8 million (roughly equivalent to VND246 billion), commenced in 2021 and will see this successful model extended over four years (2021-2025).

The program is designed to help Vietnam upskill its workforce, a crucial ingredient for Vietnam, to meet its ambitious 2045 target of being a high-income country. This work will focus on the logistics sector. Logistics is a priority for Vietnam, as it is expected to contribute 8-10 per cent of GDP by 2025. It is also a sector Australia has considerable experience in.

Australia’s assistance, provided by the Aus4Skills program, will focus on continued cooperation with MOLISA’s Directorate for Vocational Education and Training, Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry, colleges and industry partners.

The project activities, with continued linkages and inputs from industry, will offer professional development for Vietnamese vocational teachers, managers and leaders, frameworks to ensure quality training and curriculum that matches the needs of industry.

“In Vietnam, logistics is identified as an important service industry of the national economy that supports connectivity and economic development. A skilled workforce is key to developing the logistics industry. With the onset of Aus4Skills VET Phase 2, I strongly believe this is another step to realise a shared vision of Australia and Vietnam to upskill the workforce in Vietnam,” said MOLISA Deputy Minister Le Tan Dung.

H.E. Ms Robyn Mudie, Australian Ambassador to Vietnam, said, “Australia remains committed to supporting Vietnam’s next stage of development, including through strengthening the skills of Vietnam’s workforce. A skilled workforce will help ensure that domestic industries can remain competitive, which is critical to advancing Vietnam’s economic growth and post-pandemic recovery. Australia is pleased to share with Vietnam, through the Aus4Skills program, its own experience in building a dynamic, industry-led VET system.”

Over the past four years, Aus4Skills strengthened the engagement of Vietnam’s logistics industry in VET to help ensure that students graduate with the skills required by logistics employers.

Since 2017, more than 5,300 Vietnamese vocational students have benefitted from improved teaching quality in colleges supported by Aus4Skills. Enrolment in logistics courses in these colleges have increased eight-fold. Graduates from these colleges are in higher demand due to their job readiness.