The number of people pursuing vocational training in Ho Chi Minh City is increasing.

The number of students enrolling in vocational schools reached over 377,400 last year, the highest since 2020.

According to an announcement by the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs in mid-August, this number increased by more than 150,000 people compared to 2021 and exceeded the target by nearly 2%.

In the first six months of 2023, vocational training institutions recruited more than 150,000 students, achieving over 50% of the target.

Previously, due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, most vocational schools in Ho Chi Minh City did not meet their enrollment targets. Specifically, in 2020, the schools enrolled over 338,700 people. In 2021, the number of vocational students decreased sharply, reaching only 223,600 people, equivalent to 60.28% of the set target.

The Department of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs further stated that as of the end of July, the number of vocational trainees in the city was over 370,000. Of these, the largest number were at the college level with over 177,000 people; followed by intermediate level (over 126,000), and the remainder at the basic level (over 33,800).

The trend in choosing fields of study has also changed. The number of students choosing the nine main service sectors (Commerce; Transportation and Warehousing; Tourism; Postal, Telecommunications and Information and Communication; Finance, Credit, Banking, Insurance; Real Estate Business; Information and Consulting Services - Science and Technology; Education and Training ; Healthcare) has gradually decreased, from over 73% in 2020 to over 49% last year.

Conversely, the four key industries (Mechanical Engineering, Electronics - Information Technology, Food Processing, Pharmaceuticals - Rubber) attracted more students, accounting for over 41% in 2021 and 2022.

A small number of students choose one of the eight sectors with free labor movement within ASEAN (Dentistry, Nursing, Engineering, Construction, Accounting, Architecture, Surveying and Tourism ) or another profession.

Ho Chi Minh City currently has 376 vocational education institutions, an increase of 9 compared to 2021. These include colleges, vocational schools, vocational training centers, vocational training and continuing education centers, and businesses registered to operate vocational education activities.

Of these, training at enterprises accounts for the largest number with 178 establishments, followed by colleges (62 establishments) and vocational schools (60).

The Department of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs assesses that career guidance and student placement after high school graduation have been widely implemented and are closer to society.

The professional knowledge and vocational skills of graduates from vocational schools are increasingly aligned with real-world production practices, meeting the recruitment needs of businesses.

However, enrollment in vocational training and short-term courses remains high. The Department assesses that vocational students tend to want to learn quickly and enter the labor market early. This may make it difficult for many of them to adapt to the rapid changes in science and technology compared to workers with intermediate or college-level qualifications.

On the other hand, vocational secondary and college schools are facing difficulties in student recruitment as students have more and more opportunities to attend university. Meanwhile, the reputation, quality of training, and teaching conditions of these schools are not yet guaranteed or attractive enough to students.

Students at Saigon Polytechnic College during a practical session in March. Photo: BKC

At the end of last year, the General Department of Vocational Education, Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, reported that vocational schools had enrolled nearly 2.45 million students, an increase of 500,000 compared to 2021 and the highest number in the past five years.

This agency recognizes that the advantage of vocational education lies in the large number of fields and occupations. Currently, there are approximately 800 fields and occupations at the intermediate level, and 400 at the college level, not including basic level and short-term certificate courses.

Le Nguyen

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