Soc Trang: Need to remove obstacles in supporting vocational training for ethnic minority workers

The National Target Program on Socio-Economic Development for Ethnic Minorities and Mountainous Areas for the 2021-2030 period; Phase I: from 2021-2025 (abbreviated as National Target Program 1719) has been bringing many positive changes in the material and spiritual life of ethnic minority workers in Soc Trang, notably the implementation of Sub-project 3 under Project 5 of National Target Program 1719 on Vocational Education Development and Employment for Ethnic Minorities and Mountainous Areas. However, the implementation of this Sub-project 3 still faces many difficulties and obstacles, requiring competent authorities to have appropriate solutions to improve efficiency and achieve the set goals. To better understand this content, the reporter of the Ethnic and Development newspaper had an interview with Ms. Luc Bich Phuc, Deputy Director of the Department of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs of Soc Trang province. To realize the Resolution of the Executive Committee of the Quang Ninh Provincial Party Committee on socio-economic development of ethnic minority and mountainous areas, not only are the ethnic support policies and investments of the State and local authorities being implemented synchronously and effectively... but there are also efforts from the people, especially the role of prestigious people in the community. They are like the "big trees" of the village, devoted to the work of the community every day and taking the lead in emulation movements at the grassroots level for people to follow... In 10 years of formation and development, the border district of Ia H'Drai (Kon Tum) has been converged by many cultural sources, from which many types of rich and diverse folk culture have been formed and developed, bearing the unique characteristics of 8 ethnic groups living together. Participating in the 2nd Gong and Xoang Festival of ethnic minorities in Kon Tum province, the artisans of Ia Dal commune, Ia H'Drai district performed an art program with the theme "Colors of Thai culture" and made a good impression on friends and tourists from near and far. Thanks to the effective implementation of ethnic programs and policies, in recent years, the socio-economic situation of ethnic minority and mountainous areas of Quang Nam province has improved a lot. Economic development and social security indicators in ethnic minority and remote areas have been significantly improved. On the evening of December 14, in Ha Long City, the People's Committee of Quang Ninh Province held a ceremony to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Ha Long Bay being recognized by UNESCO as a World Natural Heritage for the first time (December 17, 1994 - December 17, 2024). In recent years, Quang Nam Province has focused on fully and effectively implementing ethnic programs and policies, helping the ethnic minority and mountainous areas of the province to change significantly. In particular, since the implementation of the National Target Program on Socio-Economic Development of Ethnic Minority and Mountainous Areas (National Target Program 1719), it has been considered one of the important levers in shortening the gap between mountainous and lowland areas. Reporter of the Ethnic and Development Newspaper had an interview with Mr. Ha Ra Dieu, Deputy Head of the Ethnic Committee of Quang Nam province about this issue. On the evening of December 14, the People's Committee of Kon Tum province held the Closing Ceremony of the 5th Kon Tum Culture - Tourism Week and the 2nd Kon Tum Gong and Xoang Festival in 2024. With determination, daring to think, daring to do clean agriculture, Ms. Thi Khui, 40 years old, Mnong ethnic group, in Dong Nai commune, Bu Dang district, Binh Phuoc province, established the Trang Co Bu Lach Organic Cashew Agricultural Cooperative (HTX). The Cooperative has gathered people with the same determination to build a chain of links and consume cashews for local people. General news of the Ethnic and Development Newspaper. The morning news of December 14, there is the following notable information: 2 more national intangible cultural heritages in Binh Dinh. Bringing Oriental medicine into tourism products. Artisans devote their youth to preserving Then heritage. Along with other current news in ethnic minority and mountainous areas. To realize the Resolution of the Executive Committee of the Quang Ninh Provincial Party Committee on socio-economic development in ethnic minority and mountainous areas, not only are the ethnic support policies and investments of the State and local authorities being implemented synchronously and effectively... but there are also efforts from the people, especially the role of prestigious people in the community. They are like the "big trees" of the village, devoted to the work of the community every day and taking the lead in emulation movements at the grassroots level for people to follow... Passing the winding roads around dangerous passes, towering mountains, Quan Ba land (Ha Giang) appears before the eyes of tourists as a unique, colorful picture of terrain, mountains, villages and customs, practices, attractive stops, meeting the needs of exploring the wild, remote lands of tourists from all over. Son Duong district (Tuyen Quang province), is home to 19 ethnic minorities, with rich and diverse cultural characteristics. However, the living conditions of ethnic minorities and mountainous areas still have many difficulties, especially in terms of infrastructure and income. Faced with this situation, the National Target Programs (NTPs) for socio-economic development have been implemented and promoted effectively, bringing positive changes to the material and spiritual life of the people. On December 14, the Ethnic Minorities Committee of Ca Mau province coordinated with the provincial Boarding School for Ethnic Minorities to organize the Contest "Learning about the provisions of the law on early marriage and consanguineous marriage in 2024". According to the report at the 24th Session of the People's Council of Bac Ninh province (term XIX), Bac Ninh province achieved 17/17 socio-economic targets, with the total product in the area (GRDP) increasing by 6.03% compared to 2023. In particular, trade and service activities developed well, tourism revenue increased by 50%; state budget revenue increased by 13.92%; foreign investment attraction reached over 4.8 billion USD, ranking first in the country.

Soc Trang focuses on strengthening conditions to ensure teaching and learning quality for vocational education institutions in ethnic minority areas.

Reporter: Could you please share some of the outstanding results of Soc Trang province in vocational training for ethnic minority workers in the province in recent times?

Ms. Luc Bich Phuc: In the period of 2021-2024, Soc Trang province has strongly implemented Sub-project 3, Project 5 under the National Target Program 1719. To date, more than 10,900 ethnic minority workers have been recruited to participate in vocational training courses. The graduation rate reached over 90%, of which nearly 99% had jobs after training.

In addition, Sub-project 3 funding has supported the enhancement of conditions to ensure the quality of teaching and learning for vocationaleducation institutions in the province, creating favorable conditions for ethnic minority workers to access labor market information, support services for job search and connection.

At the same time, support ethnic minority youth after graduating from universities and vocational training establishments to find jobs that match their abilities and aspirations. Thereby, contributing to improving the quality and effectiveness of vocational training; shifting the labor and economic structure, solving employment, increasing income for workers, meeting the requirements of socio-economic development in ethnic minority areas in Soc Trang province. In addition, it also helps vocational training establishments in the province to gradually develop in terms of enrollment and training scale in line with the development trend in the new period.

Ms. Luc Bich Phuc, Deputy Director of the Department of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs of Soc Trang province shared information with the Ethnic and Development Newspaper.

Reporter: Besides the achieved results, during the implementation of Sub-project 3, did you encounter any difficulties or problems, madam?

Ms. Luc Bich Phuc: In the period of 2021-2024, the implementation of the Sub-project of 3 Soc Trang provinces has achieved some remarkable results. However, the progress of implementing the goals and tasks has only reached over 30% compared to the plan for the whole period of 2021-2025.

In fact, we are facing some difficulties and problems in the implementation process such as: Currently, there are too many policies supporting elementary level training and supporting training under 3 months at the same time, along with many regulations and implementation instructions, which have caused many documents and procedures for payment settlement.

Support for ethnic minority workers to work abroad under contracts is also limited...; regulations, guidelines for implementation and implementation are not close to the actual situation of the locality. Typically, the Vocational Education - Continuing Education Centers of districts, towns and cities have not benefited from the content of "Strengthening conditions to ensure the quality of teaching and learning for vocational education institutions in ethnic minority and mountainous areas", while these centers are the units performing the function of vocational education, teaching general education programs, eliminating illiteracy, linking training at intermediate and college levels... This is also the main bottleneck affecting the progress and results of implementing Sub-project 3 in Soc Trang province.

In addition, the beneficiaries of the National Target Programs are also similar in terms of criteria. Or, even though they are ethnic minorities but do not belong to ethnic minority areas, they have not received support for vocational training or job placement, even though their family circumstances are still very difficult.

The implementation also shows that the training programs of some industries and occupations still do not meet the needs of job positions in enterprises. Most of the courses focus on agriculture and traditional handicrafts, while high-tech industries, services and modern industry have not received due attention. This makes the quality and job opportunities after training not expanded, especially in the context of a rapidly changing labor market.

Reporter: Given the difficulties identified above, what solutions does Soc Trang province have, madam?

Ms. Luc Bich Phuc: To solve the above difficulties and problems, we propose some basic solutions such as: Continuing to implement regulations and guidelines of the central and local levels and promptly advising competent authorities to issue documents directing and guiding the implementation of Sub-Project 3 according to regulations and in accordance with assigned functions and tasks; strengthening communication and consultation on the role, position, and benefits of vocational training and employment to contribute to raising awareness and responsibility for workers in ethnic minority areas.

In addition, closely coordinate with local authorities to mobilize people to participate more actively; continue to cooperate with businesses to expand training sectors and occupations and recruit workers after graduation. In particular, focus on developing a number of new training sectors and occupations such as logistics, digital technology, deep processing of agricultural and aquatic products, etc., to meet the needs of the modern labor market.

In particular, advise competent authorities to issue mechanisms and policies for vocational education development and job creation to meet development needs. In particular, focus on investing in upgrading facilities and equipment at colleges planned to become high-quality colleges; public vocational education facilities and developing high-quality non-public vocational education facilities. Aim to form a network of vocational education facilities to ensure teaching quality and provide the best learning environment for workers in the province and neighboring provinces.

Soc Trang aims to form a network of vocational education facilities to ensure the quality of teaching and learning.

Reporter: To improve the effectiveness of implementing Sub-project 3, as well as developing vocational education for ethnic minority workers in the province, what suggestions and recommendations do you have for the Central Government and relevant agencies?

Ms. Luc Bich Phuc: Based on the difficulties and problems mentioned above, we recommend that the Government and the Prime Minister consider issuing a mechanism and policies regulating general regulations for current policies for ethnic minority workers as prescribed in Decision No. 1719/QD-TTg dated October 14, 2021 of the Prime Minister; workers in poor and disadvantaged areas as prescribed in Decision No. 90/QD-TTg dated January 18, 2022 of the Prime Minister; rural workers as prescribed in Decision No. 263/QD-TTg dated February 22, 2022 of the Prime Minister; people whose land is recovered as prescribed in Decision No. 12/2024/QD-TTg dated July 31, 2024 of the Prime Minister, etc.

For the Ministry of Finance, it is necessary to soon provide guidance for provinces and cities to balance their budgets to implement the policy of tuition exemption and reduction for students studying at public colleges and universities in the area; or consider, amend and supplement Decree 81/2021/ND-CP dated August 27, 2021 and Decree 97/2023/ND-CP dated December 31, 2023 of the Government to allow localities to subsidize tuition fees for these students. Consider issuing documents regulating and guiding the content of expenditure, expenditure levels, processes and procedures for general settlement of payments for the above policies.

In addition, we recommend that the central government stipulate specific mechanisms and policies to encourage businesses to participate in the vocational training process, such as cooperating to open training classes and committing to job creation after training. This will help vocational training programs be more closely linked to the actual needs of the market.

With solutions and support from all levels and sectors in removing difficulties and obstacles, vocational training and job creation for ethnic minority workers will certainly continue to make new progress, contributing significantly to socio-economic development and improving the lives of ethnic minority workers in general and ethnic minority workers in particular.

Soc Trang: Strengthening supervision to improve the effectiveness of vocational training policies for ethnic minority workers

Source: https://baodantoc.vn/soc-trang-can-thao-go-nhung-vuong-mac-trong-ho-tro-dao-tao-nghe-cho-lao-dong-dtts-1734178702802.htm