Promoting autonomy in vocational training institutions under the Trade Union organization

Stuck because job position has not been approved

According to the draft report on the implementation results of Plan No. 473/PA-TLD dated May 25, 2020 and the proposed plan to rearrange the vocational education system of the Trade Union organization according to Decision No. 73/QD-TTg dated February 10, 2023, the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor has directed the arrangement and organization of a streamlined and streamlined apparatus and in each vocational education institution, continue to rearrange and promote autonomy according to the provisions of law.

The result is the organization of a system of vocational training institutions, a sharp reduction in focal points, and improved training efficiency. By June 2024, the VGCL had basically completed the implementation of the goals and policies of the Party and State on innovation of management mechanisms, financial mechanisms, and reorganization of the system of public service units. To date, there are 19 vocational training institutions under the trade union system, including 3 colleges; 13 intermediate schools; and 3 trade union vocational training centers.

However, most schools and centers have not yet had their job position plans approved nor have they been assigned staffing targets. Therefore, in the process of implementing regular expenditure tasks, many difficulties are encountered.

Accordingly, the provincial State Treasury does not disburse funds for the implementation of regular expenditure tasks of schools from the central budget when there is no approved job position project and no decision on assigning staff quotas to schools; affecting the development and implementation of financial autonomy plans; difficulties in recruiting staff, teachers, and appointing managers. In addition, there is a shortage of teachers, especially in key professions; the staffing of civil servants, teachers, and workers in the unit is not clearly defined by which level of management...

The highest requirement is autonomy.

Mr. Nguyen Dinh Khang - Member of the Party Central Committee, President of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor - said that the establishment of vocational education units of the Trade Union organization was with great expectations. During the operation, some schools developed very well, but some schools did not do well, especially in the management mechanism. Therefore, it is necessary to rearrange vocational education units under the Trade Union organization.

The President of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor emphasized that currently, vocational training units under the Trade Union organization are facing a very important time to determine the tasks of the units. “Currently, there is a planning of the vocational training network as well as regulations on vocational training, other policies continue to change. Therefore, if vocational training units under the trade union system do not change in time, do not calculate the plan, the operation will not be effective. In addition, there is pressure on science and technology, new industries will be born, leading to changes in the workforce, thereby requiring units to adapt” - President Khang said.

Mr. Nguyen Dinh Khang requested the advice boards to re-evaluate the implementation of plan 473, and the issues that need to be continued, the highest requirement is autonomy, while emphasizing the importance of building an autonomy plan, including autonomy in programs and personnel. In the process of building an autonomy plan, it is necessary to well implement the construction of a job position project, based on the explanation of each unit.

However, Mr. Nguyen Dinh Khang also noted that autonomy must ensure legal regulations; assets must be managed in accordance with regulations, especially ensuring criteria and orientation when establishing the unit. In addition, units must update new policies on vocational training to plan future operations.

According to Mr. Ngo Duy Hieu - Vice President of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor, many vocational training facilities are currently operating ineffectively and are looking for ways to survive.

Mr. Pham Vu Quoc Binh - Deputy Director General Directorate of Vocational Education - said that autonomy is associated with accountability, but there must be an appropriate mechanism. To achieve this, it is necessary to focus on teachers, avoiding the risk of "bleeding" this team; at the same time, it must be associated with decentralization, giving comprehensive autonomy to schools; and having special policies related to workers when they go to school.