LookAtVietnam – Vocational training in the fields of high-tech welding, electric mechanics and programming provide just as attractive job opportunities as a university degree,

Trained high-tech welders at Dung Quat industrial zone. Skilled welders and mechanics are being hunted by foreign-invested companies and export processing zones.

“Skilled welders and mechanics are being hunted by foreign-invested companies and export processing zones and they’re offering attractive salaries,” said Cao Van Sam, deputy head of the Vocational Training Department under the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (MoLISA).

A worker, after graduating from a two-year course in 6G advanced technology welding, can take home a monthly salary of VND10 million (US$540), said Tran Cong Tru, head of Lilama 2 Vocational College in Long Thanh, the southern province of Dong Nai.

In a country where GDP per capita (2008) was $960 a year, such pay is high, he said, adding it was equal the amount an accountant with ten years experience could earn at a joint stock company.

Tru said despite high tuition fees of VND10 million for just a two month 6G welding course, compared to an average VND5 to 7 million ($270-$380) of other courses, many students have enrolled.

“Until now, the college has run 25 6G welding courses, and 800 students finishing welding courses in 2008.”

Tran Tien Dung, head of the Administration Department of the Cao Thang Vocational College in District 1, HCM City, said his college’s students would increase since demand for construction projects and companies is on the rise, adding “about six to eight small to large-sized enterprises actively contact us to offer 100 unfilled positions for qualified students before they graduate every year.”

The Vinashin Vocational Training College, owned by the Viet Nam Shipbuilding Industry Corporation (Vinashin) in northern Hai Phong City, can offer employment to students who wish to stay after graduation.

Nguyen Dinh Tam, Principal of Vinashin College, said four years since the college’s establishment, some 7,500 of 8,000 graduates have worked for the corporation.

Most graduates hold technical or senior positions in the corporation and are paid average salaries of VND8 to 10 million per month, he said.

Apart from professional skills, graduates receive a TOEIC international English language certificate, meaning they are able to work for foreign companies, he said.

Nguyen Dinh Hung, 26, a wielder with three years’ experience at the Dung Quat Oil Refinery, said after two years of vocational training, he would previously get paid VND5 million ($270) as an initial salary. Now it has been raised to VND12 million ($650).

“The pay is based on the number of pipes I could wield, $15 per inch, the more I work the more I earn. So, despite the hard work I am happy to be well-paid,” he said, adding he regretted spending too much time tormenting himself when he failed his university entrance exams many years ago.

As the project at Dung Quat nears completion, Hung will work on an equally lucrative project in central Phu Yen province.

Nguyen Van Thanh, in the department of Human Resources of the Dung Quat Oil Refinery, said despite the high salaries, welders were still in short supply.

“Qualified wielders are worth their weight in gold,” he said.

A survey conducted by the UK’s Leicester University’s Labour Market Research Centre, the International Labour Organisation and the Viet Nam Chamber of Commerce and Industry on June 30 showed that more than 50 percent of technology companies seriously lack qualified workers and technical employees.

However, vocational training is still regarded as a temporary option, despite being the main career pursued by many high-school leavers who have failed their university entrance exams.

According to the Ministry of Education and Training, 773,000 students failed university entrance exams this year yet many of whom will only choose vocational training as a temporary option.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education and Training Nguyen Thien Nhan said at an online meeting discussing vocational training earlier this month: “Reality has shown that studying at university is not the only key to a successful career.”

According to MoLISA, the number of vocational colleges has increased in terms of scale and quality. In 2005, there were only 193 vocational colleges but the number has increased to 275 in 2009; 60 to 70 percent of vocational college graduates have jobs.

VietNamNet/Viet Nam News