Phuong Duc Commune: Vocational training, the key to sustainable poverty escape

From mid-2025 to now, the locality has opened 10 vocational training classes with more than 500 students, creating a clear change in socio -economic life and becoming one of the bright spots of the capital in rural vocational training.

Bamboo and rattan weaving training classes in Phuong Duc commune are a "lever" for the commune to sustainably reduce poverty and develop the economy in a modern direction. Photo: Son Tung

From social welfare support to the "give a fishing rod" strategy.

For many years, Phuong Duc commune has persistently pursued the goal of improving people's lives through diversifying forms of support. Social welfare policies, especially those caring for war veterans, vulnerable groups, and disadvantaged households, have been implemented systematically and comprehensively. Specifically, the housing support project for war veterans and relatives of martyrs has approved 69 households, including 32 for new construction and 37 for repairs. The commune's Steering Committee has conducted site inspections, guided the application process, and disbursed funds according to regulations for eligible cases, ensuring the progress and quality of the projects.

Furthermore, the "Gratitude and Repayment" work has always received special attention from the Party Committee and the local government. The total number of beneficiaries of preferential policies for meritorious individuals under the Ordinance on Preferential Treatment is 3,537, all of whom are guaranteed full benefits. On major holidays such as July 27th, National Day September 2nd, or other important political events, the commune organizes visits, gift-giving, and encouragement for wounded soldiers, sick soldiers, families of martyrs, elderly people living alone, and children in difficult circumstances.

The social security system has also been strengthened through the expansion of health insurance coverage. Currently, the health insurance coverage rate in the commune is approximately 95.5%, exceeding the target set by the city, equivalent to 57,568 people... This not only protects public health but also creates an important foundation for stabilizing livelihoods and reducing the financial burden on disadvantaged households.

However, local authorities determined that direct support is only temporary; vocational training and job creation are fundamental solutions to help people stand firm and rise up.

In the context of rural economic transition, equipping people with skills has become a breakthrough for Phuong Duc. The commune considers this a key task, a “lever” to sustainably reduce poverty and develop the economy in a modern direction.

From July 2025 to the present, the entire commune has organized 10 vocational training classes in the villages of An Coc Thuong, Kim Long Trung, Kim Long Thuong, Nhi Khe, Hoang Dong, Phuong Vu, Co Hoang, and Phu Bat… attracting more than 400 trainees of various ages and skill levels. This number demonstrates the great demand for vocational training and the high level of public support for the local development program.

The training courses focus on occupations with practical demand and the potential for quick livelihood creation, such as: rattan and bamboo weaving, handicraft weaving, handbag making, handicraft design, and traditional crafting. Students learn both theory and practice simultaneously, receiving direct guidance from instructors step-by-step, from creating the framework and designing the pattern to completing the product. This approach is suitable for rural workers, who primarily learn through hands-on experience.

Many trainees quickly found jobs at businesses in the commune after completing their training, or took on work from home. This new employment not only increased their income but also provided opportunities for women, middle-aged people, and those with health limitations to work flexibly according to their schedules.

Deputy Chairman of the People's Committee of the commune, Nguyen Quang Huy, emphasized that the Party Committee, People's Council, and People's Committee of the commune always consider vocational training and job creation for the people as a key task in socio-economic development. Each vocational training class not only has the significance of creating immediate jobs, but is also an important step in preserving traditional crafts, forming production groups, and promoting local economic growth and improving the lives of the people.

Sustainable poverty reduction and people's empowerment.

In each vocational training class, the learning atmosphere is vibrant. People participate with a spirit of eagerness to learn, a desire for self-improvement, and a wish to acquire more skills to improve their lives. With the rattan and bamboo weaving craft – a long-standing tradition of Phuong Duc – many trainees confidently create beautiful and economically valuable products after just a few weeks of training.

In the rattan and bamboo weaving course, students are guided by instructors through the entire process of processing raw materials, weaving frames, weaving patterns, creating designs and finishing techniques for the products. Baskets, trays, bags, shelves, etc. are exquisitely shaped to meet the demands of the urban consumer market.

Ms. Tran Thi Thu, a participant in the vocational training class, shared: “Previously, I only worked in the fields and did some housework whenever I could. When the commune opened the vocational training class, I was very happy because I had more opportunities to learn how to make handicrafts. After the course, I received orders to work on at home, earning a few million dong each month. More importantly, now I have a skill in hand and feel much more confident.”

Leaders of Phuong Duc commune inspect rural vocational training classes in the area. Photo: Son Tung.

Besides rattan weaving, classes in handbag making and decorative crafts also attract many students. These are all trades suitable for rural workers, easy to do, require little capital, do not require large workshops, and can be expanded into production groups. Businesses in the commune and neighboring areas are also willing to cooperate and purchase products from students after the course.

The shift in production mindset from purely agricultural to a combination of handicrafts, from dependence to proactiveness, is creating a new face for Phuong Duc's economy. The distinguishing feature of Phuong Duc's approach is that vocational training is always accompanied by the development of consumption chains and job creation after training.

The commune has proactively connected with businesses, cooperatives and production facilities to employ students or provide output products. Some villages have mobilized the establishment of craft groups to create jobs on the spot, taking advantage of the idle farming time.

In addition, the commune government, in collaboration with the Social Policy Bank and the Farmers' Support Fund, facilitates loans for households wishing to expand production after the training course. This integration of "training - employment - capital - consumption" has created a closed loop, helping people feel secure in pursuing their chosen profession and achieve sustainable development.

Chairman of Phuong Duc Commune People's Committee, Nguyen Trong Vinh, commented: “Vocational training is not just about teaching a skill, but about giving people the opportunity to change their lives. For vulnerable groups such as women, elderly workers, or the unemployed, this is a solution with profound humanitarian significance. We will continue to open new classes, encourage the establishment of production groups, and connect with businesses to ensure that people can work and earn an income after completing their training.” From now until the end of 2025, the commune plans to open about 10 more vocational training classes in rattan and bamboo weaving, handbag making, handicrafts, interior decoration, etc., to meet the diverse needs of the people and suit market trends.

The current challenge of poverty reduction in rural areas is not just about providing material support, but more importantly, helping people create opportunities for stable income. Phuong Duc has chosen the right direction by considering vocational training as a pillar in its economic development strategy, coupled with social security and welfare support policies. Thanks to this approach, the locality not only helps people acquire skills, find jobs, and earn income, but also promotes the revival of traditional crafts, creating momentum for household economic development and building an advanced new rural area.

With the determination of the entire political system and the strong support of the people, Phuong Duc is gradually asserting its position as a good model in rural vocational training, a locality that "gives people a fishing rod" so they can confidently rise up and move towards a more stable, sustainable, and prosperous life.

Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/xa-phuong-duc-dao-tao-nghe-chia-khoa-mo-loi-thoat-ngheo-ben-vung-726261.html