Measures of recovery and development

In the process of socio-economic development, employment always holds a central position, as it is the direct meeting point between economic growth and people's lives. With over 2.1 million people of working age in Thanh Hoa province, the issue of employment is even more crucial, not only for ensuring social security but also for creating momentum for long-term recovery and growth.

Students are learning industrial electrical engineering at Nga Son Vocational College.

Foundation for stability and growth

In recent years, adhering closely to the major policies of the Central Government and the practical requirements of the locality, Thanh Hoa province has considered job creation as one of the important pillars of its development strategy. The recovery of the labor market is clearly demonstrated by positive results; from 2020 to the present, the province has created new jobs for over 356,000 workers, including more than 62,000 who have gone to work abroad under contract. This not only increases income for hundreds of thousands of families but also contributes to reducing pressure on domestic employment and improving the quality of human resources through access to advanced working environments.

Simultaneously, the vocational education system has been strengthened and expanded, becoming an important "foundation" for the job market. With a fairly comprehensive network including 5 universities, university branches, 11 colleges, 15 vocational schools, and dozens of vocational training centers and facilities, the province has organized training and skills transfer for more than 480,000 workers during the 2020-2025 period. The percentage of trained workers increased from 70% in 2020 to approximately 75% in 2025, with 90-95% of trainees finding employment after graduation, and many professions achieving 100% employment.

Beyond simply "having a job," the quality of employment has also been steadily improving. The development of economic zones and industrial parks, along with attracting investment in processing and manufacturing, services, and tourism, has created numerous stable job opportunities with better incomes and working conditions. Furthermore, the labor market information system and job exchanges are being modernized, contributing to a more effective connection between labor supply and demand, and enabling workers to access job information quickly and transparently.

However, within this recovery picture, there are still some dark spots. A segment of the workforce, especially in rural and mountainous areas, still faces difficulties in accessing sustainable employment; vocational skills, foreign language proficiency, and the ability to adapt to the modern work environment remain limited. This shows that job recovery is only the beginning; the requirement is to improve the quality of employment to meet development goals in the new phase.

Sustainable employment - a measure of long-term development capacity.

If employment reflects the immediate pulse of the economy, then sustainable employment is the measure of long-term development capacity. The experience of Thanh Hoa shows that, alongside positive results, the training and development of human resources still has many limitations that need to be addressed. The shortage of high-quality labor and leading experts in key sectors such as information technology, automation, petrochemicals, processing and manufacturing... is becoming a "bottleneck" to the goal of rapid and sustainable growth.

These limitations stem from multiple factors. On the one hand, Thanh Hoa has a large geographical area and population, while its labor market is rapidly changing due to technological innovation and production methods, making forecasting workforce demand challenging. On the other hand, training programs at some vocational education institutions are still heavily theoretical, failing to adequately focus on practical skills, digital skills, foreign languages, and industrial work ethics – factors increasingly important in the context of international integration. Therefore, for employment to truly become a measure of development, it is necessary to shift from the concept of "learning to obtain a degree" to "learning to get a job and a stable income." Career guidance and student streaming from the secondary school level need to be given more importance, helping learners choose a path that suits their individual abilities and the needs of society, thereby reducing pressure on higher education and enhancing the attractiveness of vocational education.

Furthermore, a close connection between economic development strategy and human resource development strategy is a vital requirement. Training must stem from the needs of the labor market, using the trust of businesses and society in graduates as a measure of quality. In the context of digital transformation and the digital economy, promoting retraining and upskilling for the existing workforce will significantly contribute to improving the productivity and competitiveness of the local economy.

Innovating teaching methods and applying digital technology in vocational training are identified as breakthroughs. When learners are equipped not only with professional knowledge but also with digital skills, foreign languages, work discipline, and adaptability, employment will not only be about "having a job" but will also open up opportunities for advancement and long-term career development. This is the foundation for building a modern, flexible, and sustainable labor market. And when schools, businesses, and the government genuinely participate in the training and employment process, employment will not only be a result of economic recovery but will become a driving force for long-term development.

Text and photos: Tran Hang

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/thuoc-do-cua-phuc-hoi-va-phat-trien-272982.htm