Enhancing human resources to embrace a new wave of development

With less than a year remaining before Phase 1 of Long Thanh International Airport becomes operational, a new wave of development is expected to unfold, driving a massive demand for human resources, not only for positions directly within the airport but also across surrounding service and commercial sectors.

Students from the technical faculty of Dong Nai College of Technology (in Tran Bien ward, Dong Nai province) are participating in a practical training session. Photo: Hai Yen

Universities and colleges throughout Dong Nai province are actively enhancing their training programs and collaborating with businesses to equip students with the essential knowledge and skills, ensuring they are well-prepared to capitalize on numerous upcoming job opportunities.

4,000 direct jobs and thousands more in supporting industries

On August 23, the first Long Thanh Airport Job Fair was held, offering more than 4,000 direct job openings. These positions reflect the initial hiring needs of companies within the aviation sector.

Notably, the job demand spans a wide range of positions, from specialized roles requiring college or university degrees to general labor jobs such as cargo handling, driving, and cleaning services. Aviation enterprises affirm that annual recruitment will remain high, accompanied by additional training to ensure workers meet the standards set by the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam.

According to Le Thi Hoang Oanh, Deputy General Director of Saigon Ground Services JSC (SAGS), the company is seeking passenger service staff, particularly to cater to foreign travelers. Therefore, workers must have soft skills and strong English skills to ensure customer satisfaction. Additionally, technological skills are also important.

Similarly, Pham Hong Hanh, a representative of Tan Son Nhat Airport Services JSC (SASCO), noted that while the company offers positions requiring only a high school diploma, English proficiency is essential, with a minimum TOEIC score of 450. However, possessing a certificate is only the beginning; employees must also build practical communication skills to interact effectively with passengers and maintain physical fitness to meet appearance standards.

While the need for workers at Long Thanh Airport is already substantial, even greater opportunities exist within the surrounding ecosystem. Nearby areas are expected to support massive service industries, including logistics, warehousing, hospitality, retail centers, conferences and exhibitions, finance and banking, and, in particular, a future duty-free zone. These sectors will require a diverse workforce, encompassing technicians, business managers, service staff, chefs, and drivers.

Nguyen Thi Hai Hang, Director of the Vietnam Aviation Academy, said: "Non-aviation services around the airport may require even more human resources than the aviation industry itself." This requirement creates many job opportunities for students from high schools, colleges, and universities, right in their local area.

Stronger collaboration between schools and aviation enterprises needed

Dong Nai currently hosts six universities and 12 colleges. Between 2021 and 2023, these institutions collectively enrolled around 6,500 new students annually and saw approximately 4,500 graduates per year. They offer training in 53 majors, 19 of which are related to the aviation sector. During the same period, colleges enrolled about 12,000 students annually, with 7,000 graduates per year, across 80 fields, 54 of which are aviation-related.

However, graduates from these institutions, when recruited by aviation enterprises, still require additional specialized training to meet the job-specific standards set by the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam before they can officially work at Long Thanh Airport.

Despite significant training capacity, both educational institutions and aviation businesses acknowledge existing gaps in readiness. Therefore, close cooperation is key to improving training quality and reducing the time required for retraining new hires.

To proactively enhance foreign language skills among future workers,  Le Truong Son, Standing Member of the Provincial Party Committee and Vice Chairman of the Dong Nai Provincial People's Committee, has tasked the Department of Education and Training with proposing a special policy by October 2025 to strengthen students' English proficiency. If necessary, a detailed proposal or resolution may be submitted to the Provincial People's Council for approval.

Luu Hoang Minh, Deputy General Director of the Vietnam Airport Ground Services Company, emphasized that educational institutions must begin teaching communication, soft skills, and English from the first year to bridge the skill gap and reduce retraining time. Career orientation, he noted, should begin early and be aligned with market needs. In the long term, enterprises should proactively place training orders with institutions to ensure education aligns with labor market demands.

Dr. Nguyen Thi Thu Lan, Vice Principal of Lac Hong University (Tran Bien Ward), hopes that the school can sign MOUs (memorandums of understanding) on human resource needs and supply, connect and guide students early to provide training that fits reality. According to Huynh Le Tuan Dung, Principal of Dong Nai Technical College, there should be support sources available for students who meet the entry standards for employment, allowing them to receive further training. The Department of Education and Training of Dong Nai province has been assigned to draft and gather opinions on the Draft Resolution of the Provincial People's Council regarding human resource training policies to support Long Thanh Airport from 2026 to 2030. With thorough preparation from schools, coordination from businesses, and supportive policies from the government, Dong Nai students have a great opportunity to be part of Long Thanh Airport, contributing to the development of the province and the country.

By: Hai Yen

Translated by: Hong Van - Minho