LookAtVietnam – Bsinesses complain it’s difficult to find students who can meet job requirements and are blaming vocational schools for producing unsuitable workers.

Vinh said in 2008 he contacted the college saying he needed 20 workers. However, he did not receive a reply. In June 2009, Vinh, once again, came to the college to ask for 20 more. He was told by the college to expect 20 students once they had graduated in September. However, to date, nothing has happened.

The deputy minister of Labour, War Invalids and Social Affairs (MOLISA) Dam Huu Dac said “The college should have cooperated with Nor-Cal Vietnam to find jobs for its students. The students would then respresent and boost the image of the college”.

Vinh says his company specialises in assembling and manufacturing drilling platforms, therefore it always has high demand for welders and mechanical workers. But, he complains that recently he cannot recruit welders.

Vinh appealed to all colleges saying: “I need 500 welders. If any schools have welders, please provide them to us.”

Le Van Hien, President of Lilama 2 Vocational College which provides three-year training, says it seems vocational schools and businesses still cannot work together.

He adds: “Vocational schools still keep training in the old ways and don’t care what people want. If businesses cannot use the workers the schools provide, then they have to retrain them.

Hien believes it’s better to train them in the right areas the first time around. Hien also believes businesses must share responsibility and get more involved in the process of training workers.

“Our tuition is just six million dong per student per year. Meanwhile, it costs businesses many millions of dong more to retrain workers if they are not suitable. If businesses get involved in the training, they will get satisfactory workers without the need for further investment.

Nguyen Van Hung, CNC Company spokesperson suggests a new method of cooperation between vocational schools and businesses.

“Businesses should place orders with vocational schools. Meanwhile, schools will take the responsibility of training workers to order. Businesses should continue to supervise to ensure training is on the right track,” Hung said.

He added that two thirds of training time should be spent at school, with the remaining time spent in the workplace.

VietNamNet/TT