In a significant shift from previous arrangements governing vocational education and training, the government of Vietnam has introduced a Vocational Training Law. This endorses a standards-based approach to vocational education and training in order to improve the quality and relevance of vocational training provision. It also protects workers’ rights and establishes a system of grievance and appeals, as well as principles of good conduct.

MOLISA is responsible for establishing and issuing national skills standards, and for the assessment and certification of national skills standards, in accordance with the law. As a result, it has developed mechanisms to enable the implementation of national skills standards and an associated certification system through which skills can be formally recognised.

National Skills Standards

MOLISA has issued a set of regulations concerning the principles and criteria for guiding the development and awarding of the national skills standards. In these regulations, GDVT is assigned overall responsibility for the management and administration of the system. The regulations prescribe five levels of qualification. Progression between levels is based on achievement and demonstration of skills which needs to be externally assessed. In essence these regulations prescribe the development of a vocational training pathway which is not intended to be linked with the formal schooling system. This enables Vietnam to move quickly ahead with the development of occupational standards and improve training provision to meet these requirements. It also allows the system to respond to the needs of employers and address their priorities. A key feature of the approach is that the standards have to meet the specified needs of employers, enterprises and industry.

To facilitate this, Vietnam has adopted a unique model that brings industry and relevant government agencies together through the formation of National Skill Standard Development Committees. National Skill Standard Development Committees are formed to undertake task and skills analysis through which skills standards can be identified and adopted. Government agencies, departments and ministries that have a direct interest in the development of identified occupations are required to participate in the process of developing standards. Lead government agencies will facilitate the process and provide secretariat support. Currently, for example, the Ministry of Construction has established an NSSDC and facilitates the development of standards in construction occupations. Membership rules state that employers, employer associations, labour organisations and recognised technical experts are to be members of the committee.  

Progress in Developing Standards

MOLISA provides funds for the operation of recognised NSSDCs, which can be supplemented by lead government agencies and industry to facilitate the identification and establishment of standards. Committees can enter into contracts for service and utilise vocational colleges and industry experts to support the work of the NSSDC. To date, ten construction occupational standards have been developed and approved by MOLISA and a further 115 should be approved by the end of 2010.

To support improved quality in the vocational training system, National Skill Standards Appraisal Councils have been established to verify the skills standards that are developed through the NSSDC process. An appraisal council is made up of recognised experts involved with the specific occupations who evaluate standards for endorsement. This validation process is managed within the overall framework of the NSSDC and is essentially an independent body of the NSSDC. The appraisal committee forwards its recommendations to the lead government agency that facilitates and seeks agreement with MOLISA. MOLISA is then responsible for endorsing and assigning a national standard.

Assessment and Certification

GDVT is looking for a system that can be located and managed in Vietnam. Assessment policies and procedures need to be strengthened to ensure that learners are assessed on the basis of national skill standards to the levels required through the vocational qualifications framework. Previously, assessments were conducted by the teachers/trainers who delivered the courses.

The regulations provide for the establishment of 'skills centres' to conduct assessments against national skills standards, leading to the issue of a national certificate. A skill centre can be an enterprise, a training provider/institution, a stand-alone assessment service centre or other organisation approved by GDVT. To ensure consistency and reliability in assessment of skills, GDVT requires an assessment procedure that it can monitor and quality assure.

Follow this link for more on entry requirements for the various skill levels.