Don't wait until you fail to get into university to choose a college.

(NLĐO) - Vocational education is accelerating, expanding job opportunities, and becoming a practical choice for candidates who want to enter the profession early and save time studying.

No longer just a backup option, vocational colleges are becoming a popular choice for many students thanks to their practical training programs, short study duration, and wide range of job opportunities.

Vocational education attracts students, and businesses prioritize skills.

Following the merger, Ho Chi Minh City currently has 478 vocational education institutions, attracting nearly 200,000 students annually, with college-level programs accounting for the majority.

According to Ms. Nguyen Thuy Vuong Khanh, Deputy Director of the Communication, Admissions and Services Center of the Ho Chi Minh City College of Economics , the perception of students and parents about vocational training has changed significantly in recent years. Learners are increasingly concerned about whether the field of study is suitable, the duration of training, and the actual job opportunities after graduation.

This is also an important training orientation for colleges today: Training linked to practice, linked to businesses, and linked to actual recruitment needs. "In the current trend, businesses not only need employees who know theory but also need people who know how to work, use technology, communicate with customers, collaborate in teams, and have a good professional attitude," emphasized Ms. Khanh.

According to Ms. Nguyen Thuy Vuong Khanh, candidates should not wait until they fail to get into university to choose a college. By then, many suitable majors may have almost or completely filled their quotas.

In 2025, vocational education and training (VET) continued to record positive developments with approximately 2.2 million people enrolled, achieving 107% of the plan. The employment rate for graduates reached over 80%, with about 70-75% finding jobs in their trained field.

The current labor market demands a workforce with practical skills, digital skills, and the ability to quickly adapt to new work environments. This is also why fields within the economics sector are receiving increasing attention.

From the perspective of a recruiting company, Ms. Ngo Thi Oanh Vu, representative of De Heus Vietnam Group, believes that recruitment does not absolutely depend on whether the candidate has a college or university degree. What is important is the requirements of each position and the level of readiness to meet the actual job requirements.

Ms. Ngo Thi Oanh Vu, representative of De Heus Vietnam Group, emphasized that the ability to learn, adapt, and create value for the business is the decisive factor in the career development path of employees.

According to company representatives, some positions require high professional qualifications, but many others prioritize hiring college graduates due to their ability to adapt quickly and readily get to work. Once inside the company, opportunities for advancement no longer depend on the degree but on problem-solving skills and the value the employee creates.

College education: Start your career early, wide open opportunities for development.

According to Ms. Nguyen Thuy Vuong Khanh, a major advantage of college-level programs is the short training time, usually 2-3 years. Students can save costs, enter the labor market sooner, accumulate experience, and still have the opportunity to pursue further education.

At Ho Chi Minh City College of Economics, the economics field is a strength, with majors such as accounting, finance and banking, marketing, logistics, import-export business, e-commerce, hotel management, and tourism guiding. These are all highly applicable fields directly related to business operations.

To enable students to work immediately after graduation, the training program is designed to be streamlined, with increased practical training and strong links to businesses. Students are exposed to documents, software, and business data, while simultaneously developing digital skills, communication skills, and professional conduct.

Some fields, such as hotel management, tourism guiding, and logistics, implement dual training programs simultaneously at both businesses and schools. This approach helps bridge the gap between theory and practice.

In 2026, Ho Chi Minh City College of Economics will recruit over 3,000 students through two methods: reviewing high school transcripts and reviewing national high school exam scores. The school also opened an online admissions portal, allowing candidates to proactively register and track results.

"Candidates choose their major based on their true abilities, genuine interests, and real career opportunities. In the context of businesses increasingly valuing skills and work efficiency, college is no longer an 'easy' choice, but a practical, flexible path with rich opportunities for long-term development," Ms. Khanh emphasized.

Source: https://nld.com.vn/dung-doi-truot-dai-hoc-moi-chon-cao-dang-196260527131616776.htm