Productivity and efficiency key to improving training quality

As Dong Nai City enters a new stage of development, improving the quality of its workforce has become both an opportunity and a pressing challenge. To support sustainable growth, the city needs policies that encourage educational institutions to improve training quality while aligning academic programs more closely with local development priorities and the evolving demands of businesses.

"The survival and growth of universities today depend on earning the trust of both students and employers," said Dr. Doan Manh Quynh, Vice Rector of Dong Nai Technology University (DNTU) in Trang Dai ward. "That credibility comes from sustained investment in facilities, faculty and academic programs to ensure graduates possess practical skills and strong professional competence."

Opportunities come with challenges

KN Holdings is developing a portfolio of golf courses, resorts, real estate projects and renewable energy ventures. The group is also investing in three next-generation industrial parks in Dong Nai, aimed at attracting high-tech and core-technology enterprises. Alongside infrastructure development, the group has proactively partnered with several local universities to develop training programs tailored to the needs of its future workforce, particularly in engineering and technology.

Students at DNTU receive hands-on training using equipment donated by Japan's SMC Corporation.

Nguyen Tuan Anh, Deputy General Director of KN Holdings, said demand for highly skilled workers would rise sharply once the new industrial parks become operational.

"Once these next-generation industrial parks become operational, demand for highly skilled workers will increase significantly, particularly in semiconductors, chip manufacturing, artificial intelligence (AI), electronics, automation, aviation and biotechnology. That is why we are working with universities well in advance to ensure graduates possess not only specialized expertise but also foreign language proficiency and professional workplace skills," he said.

Demand for highly qualified technical personnel is also evident at the semiconductor manufacturing plant operated by U.S.-based Coherent Corp. in Nhon Trach 1 Industrial Park (IP), where recruitment notices offering attractive salaries are regularly posted. While the company provides promising career opportunities for young engineers and technicians, employees say gaining a position is highly competitive. Academic qualifications alone are not enough. Recruiters place greater emphasis on candidates' technical competence, practical problem-solving ability and performance during assessments and interviews.

Sharing the same view, Shin Dong Chul, General Director of KSM ENG Vina Co., Ltd., a semiconductor component and precision engineering manufacturer in Giang Dien IP, said the company has maintained a close partnership with DNTU since investing in Dong Nai in 2021.

"While building our factory, we also became involved in training and recruitment with the university," he said. "That partnership has enabled us to recruit graduates with the right technical background who can quickly adapt to real manufacturing environments."

Strengthening links between universities and businesses

Closer collaboration between universities and businesses has become increasingly important for sustainable development. Sustainable development requires stronger partnerships between universities and businesses. Employers need a steady supply of highly qualified graduates who can adapt quickly to the workplace. Meanwhile, educational institutions need timely feedback from industry to keep training programs aligned with market demand. Such cooperation helps narrow the gap between classroom learning and practical production.

In Dong Nai, many enterprises, particularly foreign-invested companies, have invested heavily in supporting local educational institutions. One example is SMC Manufacturing (Vietnam) Co., Ltd., a global leader in pneumatic and industrial automation equipment based in Long Duc IP, Long Thanh ward. The company has funded pneumatic equipment laboratories at several institutions, including Lac Hong University, DNTU and Dong Nai College of Engineering and Technology. As a result, SMC has consistently recruited graduates who are able to integrate quickly into its production lines with minimal additional training.

Dr. Phan Ngoc Son, Rector of DNTU: Training for what businesses need

We have shifted from offering what universities can teach to delivering the skills businesses actually need, with particular emphasis on students' adaptability. Businesses are also taking the initiative to work with universities to identify common goals and contribute to Dong Nai's long-term development. We hope the city will introduce stronger policies and resources to encourage institutions to expand training in emerging and core technologies that will support the city's and the nation's future growth.

Since 2024, Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV) has coordinated with the city's Departments of Home Affairs and Education and Training to recruit personnel in preparation for the trial operation and commercial launch of Long Thanh International Airport later this year. However, among seven major occupational groups, including aviation safety specialists, safety officers, service quality inspectors, ground vehicle and equipment operators, firefighters, maintenance technicians and technical equipment operators, only a small number of these occupations are currently included in training programs offered by local educational institutions.

During a working session with the Dong Nai City Party Committee’s Standing Board on May 18, Party General Secretary and State President To Lam stressed that developing a highly skilled workforce should be regarded as one of the city's strategic breakthroughs. He described high-quality human resources as the key to improving labor productivity and enhancing product quality, calling on Dong Nai to invest in developing a new generation of young professionals with advanced expertise, strong technical skills and foreign language proficiency to meet the demands of the country's next phase of development.  

By C. Nghia – Translated by M.Nguyet, Minho