Implementing Sub-project 3 (Developing vocational education and job creation for workers in ethnic minority and mountainous areas) under Project 5 (Developing education and training to improve the quality of human resources) of Program 1719, from 2022 to present, localities of Ca Mau province have opened 16 vocational training classes for ethnic minority people, Kinh people from poor and near-poor households living in hamlets and communes with special difficulties in the districts: Dam Doi, U Minh, Ngoc Hien, Tran Van Thoi... with a total cost of nearly 6.6 billion VND.

Along with the issuance of policies to support ethnic minorities to improve their material and spiritual life, the implementation of Sub-project 3 also contributes to the transformation of labor structure, economic structure, job creation, and income increase for people; support ethnic minority workers to have convenient access to labor market information and job connection support services; support ethnic minority youth to find jobs that suit their abilities and aspirations. Sub-project 3 really brings opportunities for localities to provide vocational training, solve livelihood problems, and improve people's lives.

Thanks to vocational training, many ethnic minorities in Ca Mau have jobs and stable incomes.

In U Minh district, where there are more than 1,280 ethnic minority households, recently, agencies, departments and branches have advised the district People's Committee to review the needs and support workers in general, and ethnic minority workers in particular, to learn a trade. Implementing Sub-project 3, U Minh district has coordinated with Ca Mau Community College to open two weaving training classes in Hamlet 6 and Hamlet 11 (Khanh Lam commune); organize vocational training consultation and job introduction days to provide information on the labor market and job search support services for ethnic minority workers.

With the local government's support to participate in a weaving class, Ms. Danh Hong Nhu in Hamlet 6 shared: "By participating in the class, we are supported with materials for practice, and are enthusiastically guided by teachers from the most basic operations. Up to now, we have been able to make products such as handbags, hats, floor mats... Although weaving does not bring high income, it can be done in our spare time, helping women have time to take care of their families and earn extra income to cover their living expenses."

The efforts in vocational training and job creation for workers of the entire political system of Ca Mau province in recent times have contributed to improving the quality of human resources, developing rural industries, increasing income, and sustainably reducing poverty in ethnic minority areas. Comrade Nguyen Minh Luan, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Ca Mau province, said: "In recent years, Ca Mau province has implemented many solutions to improve the quality and effectiveness of vocational training and job creation for workers, bringing about clear results. Up to now, many families have escaped poverty, and people's lives have improved significantly. Vocational training projects, start-up support, and sending workers to work abroad have been creating many new jobs and increasing income for workers. This is a testament to the determination of the government and the joint efforts of the whole society in improving the lives and creating conditions for sustainable development for ethnic minorities."

According to the plan to implement Program 1719, Ca Mau province sets a target that from now until 2030, each year 3% of rural labor will be shifted to work in industry, handicrafts, tourism, and services. By 2030, 40% of ethnic minority labor will know how to work in industry, handicrafts, tourism, and services, contributing to promoting production, increasing labor productivity, shifting employment structure, and effectively implementing the goal of sustainable poverty reduction and new rural construction in Ca Mau province.

Article and photos: PHUONG UYEN