At the provincial Center for Community Initiatives and Creative Startup Support, students can meet, share, and learn from one another. (Photo: Thien Ly)

Established 12 years ago, the Vietnam-Germany University (VGU) in Ben Cat town has become a top training venue for businesses in Binh Duong province and for the Binh Duong smart city project.

The University trains about 3,000 students per year to European standards to contribute to Vietnam’s industrialization and modernization process.

Dr. Ha Thuc Vien, the University’s Vice Rector, underscored the importance of a coordinated effort by the provincial government, the school, and local businesses to improve Binh Duong’s human resources.

VGU students study two foreign languages - English and German – to make them more valuable workers and more confident communicators.

“Lack of foreign language skill is one of the biggest barriers to working for an international business. After graduation, VGU students often enroll in advanced courses here or in Germany. Every year the German Academy grants scholarships to 30% of the students to finish their final year of study in Germany,” said Vien.

Universities and colleges in Binh Duong have changed their educational emphasis to more practical training and soft skills. They have particularly focused on occupations needed in the market – electrical engineering, electronics, automotive engineering, mechanics, and welding. Schools and businesses have cooperated so that students can get a job as soon as they graduate and businesses don’t need to train their new hires.

Vocational training schools in Binh Duong have invested in equipment on which students can practice what they’ve learned. (Photo: Thien Ly)

Binh Duong has established a business incubator at Eastern International University (EIU) and the Center for Community Initiatives and Creative Startup Support in Thu Dau Mot city to involve the state, schools, and businesses in human resource training.

Bui Van Xia, a student at Thu Dau Mot University, said it’s not enough for students to learn theory. They need a lot of practice.

“There are fewer opportunities at the university than at the Center where many new friends can help me. The equipment at the Center gives students access to advanced technologies that are not available at the school,” said Xia.

Although the proportion of trained workers in Binh Duong has reached 70% that is still less than the industrial province needs.

Kim Won Sik, Chairman of the Korean Business Association, said that finding qualified human resources is a key issue for businesses, adding, “We understand that businesses must find skilled labor. If they do, Binh Duong’s economy can thrive. Binh Duong authorities should help businesses find qualified human resources as a way to attract a long-term investment.”

According to Mai Hung Dung, Vice Chairman of the provincial People's Committee, because it takes so long to train qualified workers, Binh Duong will build an international-class infrastructure and services to attract trained workers from other provinces and cities.

“Binh Duong is located next to Ho Chi Minh City - a huge personnel resource provider. Once the public transportation system connecting Binh Duong and Ho Chi Minh City is improved, the province can attract higher quality human resources. This is what investors in Binh Duong want,” said Dung.

Binh Duong will expand high-quality educational and vocational training facilities in the direction of meeting the society’s needs and implement training cooperation programs with domestic and foreign universities at the order of new graduates and those who want to work in the southern province.