Training workforce for key projects

With a series of key projects under construction and preparing to be put into operation, the demand for human resources, especially high-quality human resources, to operate these projects in Dong Nai province is very large.

To meet this demand, Dong Nai province has issued a plan for workforce training and development for the 2026-2030 period to support the construction and operation of key projects across the province.

Rising demand for human resources to operate key projects

According to the plan, Phase 1 of Long Thanh International Airport is scheduled to begin commercial operations in June 2026. This accomplishment will be an important milestone for Vietnam's aviation sector. The official commercial launch of Phase 1 will not only be significant for air transport but, more broadly, serve as the "nucleus" that activates a wide range of other economic sectors to grow together.

Workers seeking jobs at the Long Thanh Airport Job Fair organized by Airports Corporation of Vietnam in coordination with Dong Nai province in August 2025.

In Notice No. 420-TB/VPTW, dated November 17, 2025, of the Office of the Party Central Committee, the conclusion of General Secretary To Lam on his visit and working session with agencies and units at the Long Thanh Airport Project construction site clearly states that Long Thanh Airport will only truly be effective when transport - service - urban - tourism - logistics linkages are organized in a modern and synchronized manner. Therefore, one of the major solutions to maximize the project's effectiveness is to build a modern and synchronized aviation service ecosystem, including accommodation areas, hotels, convention centers, commercial centers, medical facilities, training, maintenance, technical logistics, logistics, non-tariff zones, and supporting financial services, to form a "Long Thanh Airport city".

With this orientation, Long Thanh Airport and its surrounding ecosystem will require a vast workforce. 

According to forecasts by the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam, Phase 1 alone will need around 14,000 workers across various skill levels.

Meanwhile, according to preliminary estimates by Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV), the Long Thanh Airport branch will require about 2,000 workers. In the meantime, the airport approach control center, under the Southern Air Traffic Management Company branch, will need about 250. Airlines, ground service companies, air cargo companies, aviation fuel suppliers, inflight catering providers, and aircraft maintenance companies will also require thousands of workers.

Beyond the Long Thanh Airport Project, Dong Nai is also implementing a series of key transport projects such as the Bien Hoa - Vung Tau Expressway, Ring Road 3 - Ho Chi Minh City, the expansion of the Ho Chi Minh City - Long Thanh - Dau Giay Expressway, and the Ben Luc - Long Thanh Expressway. These projects also require a large workforce not only for construction but also for operation once they are put into service.

Training human resources to meet demand

Implementing the conclusion of General Secretary To Lam at the visit and working session with agencies and units at the Long Thanh Airport Project construction site, in early March 2026, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Le Truong Son signed and issued the plan for training and developing human resources to meet the construction and operation needs of key projects in Dong Nai province, 2026-2030 period.

Accordingly, in 2026, Dong Nai province will assign units across the province to conduct surveys and collect, update, manage, and analyze data to forecast the labor recruitment needs of key projects in the province, including quantity, sectors, and skill levels. After that, the data will be updated annually. The province has also developed a high-quality human resources development program and policies to attract and reward talent from both within and outside the province to meet the demand for experts and highly skilled workers for these projects.

Dong Nai is implementing the "On-site Human Resource Training and Development Project to Serve Long Thanh Airport" for the 2024-2026 period, with an orientation to 2030. According to the project, from 2024-2030, the province will organize training and job placement assistance for approximately 4,800 people at Long Thanh Airport.

In this plan, the Department of Education and Training is assigned the task of presiding over and coordinating with units to organize human resource training. Specific tasks include: guiding vocational education institutions to organize training courses in various forms (formal, short-term, in-company training); promoting the signing of cooperation agreements, ordering training, and sending learners for internships at businesses; linking businesses with schools to develop general vocational training programs; especially training and fostering highly skilled technical human resources closely linked to the actual needs of each project and region.

In addition, units integrate and implement STEM education development tasks and solutions into annual education plans, general education reform programs, and the province's vocational education development plans, in line with local production and technology realities. They also regularly organize STEM experiential activities and strengthen links between schools and enterprises in the area. At the same time, they organize activities to enhance cooperation among government, businesses, and schools, often referred to as the “triple helix” model, helping learners quickly access information on vocational training policies.

By Pham Tung-Translated by Mai Nga, Minho