U.S. semiconductor firm partners with Dong Nai to train workforce

The Skills Supply and Training Center (SSTC), under the management of the Dong Nai Industrial and Economic Zones Authority (DNIEZA), signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Coherent Vietnam Co., Ltd. on October 23 to collaborate on semiconductor workforce training.

Representatives of SSTC and Coherent Vietnam exchange signed MoU documents on semiconductor workforce training. Photo: Cong Nghia

To meet the workforce needs of Dong Nai's developing high-tech industries, SSTC and Coherent Vietnam have agreed to pursue several areas of strategic cooperation. The two sides will regularly exchange information on market trends, labor supply and priority occupation groups in advanced manufacturing, automation and photonics. To build a high-quality workforce, the two sides will strengthen ties with universities, colleges and vocational training institutions through job fairs, internship programs and industry exposure activities aimed at attracting new graduates.

Beyond recruitment, the two sides will focus on enhancing workforce skills through training programs tailored to businesses' practical needs. A key initiative will be a training-of-trainers program specifically designed for Coherent Vietnam's experts, helping build a sustainable pipeline of skilled workers over the long term. The partnership is expected to foster a more coordinated ecosystem for semiconductor workforce development, stabilize labor supply and help retain skilled workers in Dong Nai's semiconductor industry over the long term.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Gan Yew Choon, General Director of Coherent Vietnam, said the global company was founded in 1971 and now employed more than 50,000 people, generating US$7.1 billion in revenue in the past year. Coherent provides technologies and solutions for AI, data centers, semiconductors and advanced optical materials.

Gan Yew Choon, General Director of Coherent Vietnam, speaks about the company's desire to work with Dong Nai in semiconductor workforce training. Photo: Cong Nghia

Describing Vietnam as a country with a strong talent pool and a favorable investment climate, Gan said Coherent was expanding rapidly and had four major manufacturing facilities in operation. At Nhon Trach 1 Industrial Park (IP), Coherent inaugurated its NT1 plant, spanning 58,000 square meters, in July 2025. The facility is strategically connected to Long Thanh International Airport and the expressway network. Coherent is continuing to invest in its NT2 plant, which specializes in high-speed transceivers. The facility has set up a pilot production line, with further expansion planned in the coming phases. Coherent also reached a major milestone by successfully producing Vietnam's first silicon carbide (SiC) wafer, made from a third-generation semiconductor material.

To support its production expansion, Coherent Vietnam aims to increase its workforce from the current 5,000 employees to more than 12,000 by 2028, Gan said.

Coherent Vietnam aims to be a responsible employer and will work closely with SSTC, the DNIEZA, and universities and colleges to provide skills training and transfer technology. The partnership is expected to create thousands of new jobs, support the development of a local technology ecosystem and domestic supply chains, and strengthen business linkages across Dong Nai.

Do Thanh Phuoc, Deputy Head of the DNIEZA, speaks at the signing ceremony. Photo: Cong Nghia

Welcoming the partnership, Do Thanh Phuoc, Deputy Head of the DNIEZA, said the city's development strategy through 2030, with a vision for 2050, prioritized the selective development of high-tech industries and eco-industrial parks. He stressed that proactively developing a high-quality workforce aligned with businesses' actual hiring needs was essential to supporting investors' production expansion.

To put the agreement into practice, Do urged SSTC and Coherent Vietnam to promptly identify suitable job positions and launch a pilot training program for around 20-30 workers. After the pilot program, the parties will assess training quality, workers' skills and recruitment outcomes, using the results to refine the program and gradually expand the training and workforce supply model to other high-tech businesses in Dong Nai.

Gan Yew Choon, General Director of Coherent Vietnam, presents the first silicon carbide wafer manufactured in Vietnam. Photo: Cong Nghia

General Director of Coherent Vietnam showcases high-tech products manufactured in Dong Nai. Photo: Cong Nghia

Coherent Vietnam's manufacturing complex at Nhon Trach 1 IP. Photo: Cong Nghia

By C.Nghia – Translated by M.Nguyet,  Thu Ha