A just transition

Forecasting and developing skills to advance decent work and productivity in Viet Nam’s textiles and garment sector

Advancing decent work and productivity in the textile and garment sector was the prominent call at a stakeholders’ consultation workshop, co-organized by ILO Viet Nam and the Directorate for Vocational Education under Viet Nam’s Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (DVET/MOLISA).

News | Hanoi, Viet Nam | 23 November 2022
Worker at a garment factory in Viet Nam. © ILO
HANOI, Viet Nam (ILO News) - In the context of the digital revolution, there is an increased demand for workers with up-to-date and advanced skills such as ICT, or with a background in STEM. The shift to greener production, changing demographics and globalization further highlight the need to forecast emerging jobs and equip workers with the needed new skills to adapt. This was the main context for a national stakeholders’ workshop on the importance of skills forecasting and development.

The national stakeholders’ workshop on the importance of skills forecasting and development attracted the participation of more than 70 representatives from TVET institutions, MOLISA, VCCI, VGCL, textile and garment companies and development partners. © ILO
The workshop attracted the participation of more than 70 representatives from Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions, relevant departments of the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (MOLISA), the Viet Nam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI), the Viet Nam General Confederation of Labour (VGCL), as well as textile and garment companies, and development partners.

The workshop aimed to assess the current situation of skills gaps, and to identify the issues and challenges employers and workers in the textile and garment sector are facing and are likely to face in the future. Staying ahead of trends and preparing the needed skills will help this leading industry of Viet Nam become more resilient, competitive, and sustainable, improving the prospect for creating more higher-quality jobs. This is essential to ensure decent work for all workers, including those in the textile and garment sector.

The Dutch Ambassador, the Embassy of Japan’s First Secretary, and Deputy Director General of DVET/MOLISA joined ILO Viet Nam Country Director in calling for further joint actions by all stakeholders on skills development and skills needs forecasting for advancing decent work and productivity. © ILO
The event provided an opportunity for participants to discuss and explore different approaches to skills needs forecasting and ways to address skills mismatch.

At the workshop, Dutch Ambassador to Viet Nam, Mr Kees van Baar and Embassy of Japan’s First Secretary, Mr Ishii Chikahisa, joined Deputy Director General, Mr Pham Vu Quoc Binh of DVET/MOLISA, and ILO Viet Nam Country Director, Ms Ingrid Christensen to call for further joint actions by all stakeholders on skills development and skills needs forecasting for advancing decent work and productivity through this ILO project.

The workshop was organized under the Future of Work and Skills in Viet Nam project.