Unemployed workers are afraid to learn a trade

Unemployed workers are afraid to learn a trade

Registered but dropped out halfway

Having been receiving unemployment benefits for 2 months, having to go to the Hanoi Employment Service Center every month to report his employment status, Mr. Tran Viet Anh (Khuong Dinh Ward, Hanoi) still has no intention of going to vocational school. Mr. Viet Anh is still trying to find a new job, although his current welding and forging expertise is not easy to find a job.

Responding to the question of why he did not attend training courses to improve his skills or learn another trade to change jobs, Mr. Viet Anh said that as soon as he registered for unemployment benefits, he was consulted by staff of the Hanoi Employment Service Center about free courses to improve his skills. However, up to now, he still has no intention of attending these vocational courses.

“I am old now, now going to vocational school to change jobs finds it difficult to adapt. For now, I will stay home for a while to receive unemployment benefits, while looking for a new job. According to regulations, I am entitled to 6 months of unemployment benefits, if finding a job is too difficult, we will consider further,” said Viet Anh.

Lack of diversity in training occupations is also one of the reasons why unemployed workers are not "keen" on learning a trade.

Statistics from the Department of Employment, Ministry of Home Affairs over the past years have shown a sad reality, the rate of unemployed workers going to vocational training is still very low. Instead of choosing vocational training to improve their capacity, most workers are only interested in short-term support policies such as unemployment benefits. The specific figures in the first quarter of 2025 are a clear proof. Of nearly 124,000 people who decided to receive unemployment benefits, only more than 3,600 of them chose vocational training, accounting for only about 2.9%. This reality creates challenges for management agencies in policy making.

In addition to the fact that very few people want to learn a trade, there is also a situation where many people do not attend classes or drop out of school even though they have registered. At the Hanoi Employment Service Center, data shows that this situation is also worrying.

Ms. Vu Thi Thanh Lieu, Deputy Director of the Hanoi Employment Service Center, said that the number of people registering for vocational training at the center in 2023 was only 778 people, in 2024 it increased to 1,162 people and in the first 7 months of 2025 it was 647. However, many workers, although having a decision to support vocational training, did not come to receive the decision or did not attend the class. For example, out of 1,162 people with a decision to study a profession in 2024, up to 10% (ie 110 people) did not come to receive it, and only more than 700 people actually attended the course.

Of the participants, only about 60% completed the course, while the remaining 40% dropped out. The reasons recorded by the center were quite diverse: Workers could find new jobs, be busy with family matters, or have to return to their hometowns. This not only made it difficult to organize classes but also affected training costs. In addition, the situation of workers not attending classes regularly and lacking discipline was also a major obstacle for training facilities.

Need an attractive and effective vocational training ecosystem

What causes workers to be "uninterested" in vocational training despite being unemployed? According to experts, the underlying cause of this situation comes from many sides. Firstly, the support policy still has many shortcomings. The current vocational training support level is still low, only a maximum of 1.5 million VND/person/month, and a maximum of 9 million VND if studying for 6 months, which does not meet the requirements for improving training quality. The low support level and short support period make it impossible for workers to study intermediate-level or higher-level professions or high-quality, highly attractive professions.

In addition, the "output" factor of vocational training has not been guaranteed. The vocational training policy in the past has supported workers in need, and many people have successfully changed careers. However, this policy currently only stops at the level of vocational training support and cannot guarantee output.

Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Thi Lan Huong, former Director of the Institute of Labor and Social Sciences, said that the "output" for some occupations is still limited, making it difficult to attract workers. This makes workers hesitate to spend time and effort to learn a profession whose future employment is unclear.

Not only that, the needs and personal circumstances of unemployed workers are also a challenge. Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Thi Lan Huong pointed out that most unemployed workers are the main breadwinners of their families, and when they lose their jobs, their income is severely affected. This makes them prioritize the right to vocational training support, but their vocational training needs are quite diverse, and are not concentrated at the same time and in the same location, making it difficult to organize classes. Financial and family pressures make it difficult for them to wholeheartedly pursue a long-term vocational course.

“To overcome this situation and create a stronger attraction for vocational training, there needs to be synchronous and comprehensive coordination from state management agencies, training institutions, businesses and workers themselves. First, it is necessary to increase support and extend the training period because the current support level is still low. There needs to be a policy to expand support in addition to tuition fees to reduce pressure on students. Next, it is necessary to innovate and improve the quality of training programs, linked to the market. Training institutions need to design programs that are suitable to the needs of workers, meeting soft skills and especially information technology - skills that are very necessary in the current context. Combine theory with practice, training close to market needs. Ensure "output" employment, instead of just stopping at vocational training support, there needs to be a mechanism to closely link training institutions and businesses to ensure employment after students complete the course... In short, it is necessary to create a vocational training ecosystem attractive and effective. When workers really see the practical benefits from vocational training, they will be motivated to participate", Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Thi Lan Huong analyzed.

Source: https://cand.com.vn/doi-song/lao-dong-that-nghiep-ngai-hoc-nghe-i781345/