Colleges are gaining prominence amidst the shortage of technical personnel.

While businesses are facing a shortage of highly skilled technical workers, many students are choosing to attend vocational colleges to secure employment sooner and reduce the pressure of university entrance exams.

Businesses are desperate for skilled workers.

This year's college admissions season, as the pressure of university entrance exams continues to weigh heavily on many students and parents, a trend is becoming increasingly clear: instead of trying to get into university at all costs, many students are choosing to attend vocational colleges to secure stable careers sooner, meeting the huge demand of the technical labor market.

A billboard promoting the enrollment process of Hanoi College of Economics and Industry.

In reality, the economy is entering a period of strong transformation towards industrialization, high technology, and green manufacturing. Industrial parks, manufacturing enterprises, logistics centers, electronics factories, mechanical factories, automation factories, etc., all have a large demand for skilled technical workers. However, the current supply of human resources is insufficient to meet the demand in terms of both quantity and practical skills.

Speaking to a reporter from the Industry and Trade Newspaper, Ms. Nguyen Thi Thuy Van – representative of the Human Resources Department of Gentherm Vietnam Co., Ltd. – said that in order to recruit a workforce of technical skills suitable for the company's job requirements, Gentherm Vietnam has established cooperative relationships with many universities and technical colleges over the past nearly 10 years.

According to Ms. Nguyen Thi Thuy Van, "currently, students at universities are well-trained, have a solid professional foundation, and a positive work attitude."

“ In 2026, we need to recruit workers in technical fields, especially those related to electrical and electronic engineering, automation, mechanical engineering, and automotive technology. In addition, the company is also recruiting in supporting fields such as information technology, environment, and finance and accounting. Every year, the company works closely with universities and technical colleges to implement internship and scholarship programs to attract and develop high-quality human resources, ” Ms. Van said.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Thuy Van – Representative of the Human Resources Department, Gentherm Vietnam Co., Ltd.

According to Ms. Van, what businesses need is a workforce that can start working immediately after recruitment. This is also a major advantage of current college-level programs, as their training programs are heavily focused on practical application, have short study periods, and allow for early access to the business environment.

Sharing information about the 2026 enrollment plan, Dr. Dong Trung Chinh – Principal of Hanoi College of Economics and Industry ( Ministry of Industry and Trade ) said: In 2026, the school will enroll students in majors in the economic and technical fields such as: information technology, marketing, e-commerce, accounting, finance and banking, business administration, computer network administration, industrial electricity, industrial electronics, refrigeration and air conditioning engineering, multimedia graphics, fashion design, tourism and travel, legal services…

According to Dr. Dong Trung Chinh, the school's training model is closely linked to businesses. Students are supported with part-time jobs during their studies, receive paid internships, and are guaranteed 100% employment after graduation. In addition, students have the opportunity to transfer to university or participate in study abroad and work programs in Japan, South Korea, and China.

Considering academic transcripts reduces exam pressure.

With the high school graduation exam approaching, many families and students are carefully considering their choices of universities and careers. According to Dr. Dong Trung Chinh, many students who score around 15 points on the high school graduation exam will face a crucial decision. If they try to get into an unsuitable university, the risk of unemployment or working in a field unrelated to their studies after graduation is very real. Meanwhile, attending a college offers a more practical path with lower costs, shorter training time, and broader job opportunities.

Dr. Dong Trung Chinh - Principal of Hanoi College of Economics and Industry

“ Currently, most colleges are applying the high school transcript review method, which helps reduce exam pressure for students. With just a high school diploma, many students can apply to fields that are experiencing a shortage of manpower, such as electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, automotive technology, automation, information technology, logistics, or environmental engineering, ” shared Dr. Dong Trung Chinh.

According to vocational education experts, the mentality of "going to university at all costs" is gradually changing. In a labor market that values ​​vocational skills and practical adaptability, vocational trainees can absolutely earn a good income and have sustainable career development opportunities if they receive proper training.

Many colleges are now strengthening their cooperation with businesses, sending students for internships early on, and even committing to job placement after graduation. Some engineering fields have a graduate employment rate of over 95%.

From another perspective, attending college also helps many families reduce their financial burden. Instead of spending 4-5 years in university with high costs, college students only need about 2.5-3 years of study, allowing them to enter the labor market sooner and have a stable income.

The College of Economics and Industry introduces 19 training programs that will be open for enrollment in 2026.

The current reality shows that many skilled engineers and technicians are earning quite high salaries, especially in the electrical, mechanical, automation, and automotive industries. Many businesses are even willing to pay good salaries to retain skilled technical workers.

" With the 'learning by doing' model, Hanoi College of Economics and Industry has brought practical benefits to students. Students not only gain practical experience in a real-world environment but also earn income during their internships. Some second- and third-year students participating in the cooperation program with businesses can earn up to 16 million VND per month . After graduation, students are hired by businesses because they possess both professional knowledge and practical skills and experience. This saves businesses the cost of retraining employees after recruitment ," shared Dr. Dong Trung Chinh.

Dr. Dong Trung Chinh affirmed that choosing to study at a college is no longer a "secondary option" but is becoming a suitable path for many students. The important thing is not whether to attend university or college, but to choose the right path that matches one's abilities, meets societal needs, and aligns with future career aspirations.

Source: https://congthuong.vn/cao-dang-len-ngoi-trong-con-khat-nhan-luc-ky-thuat-457438.html