For the future of workers
Since 2022, vocational training courses for ethnic minorities and mountainous areas in Ia Grai district have gradually become effective. Workers have improved their qualifications and experience to apply in production activities and economic development.
According to statistics from the People's Committee of Ia Grai district, implementing the project "Developing vocational education and creating jobs for workers" according to the National Target Program in the area, in 2022, the district opened 12 classes with 385 students; in 2023, 4 classes were opened for 120 students, 100% of whom were ethnic minorities.
Mr. Nguyen Quang Thuan - Deputy Director in charge of the Center for Vocational Education - Continuing Education of Ia Grai district said: "The project of vocational education and training for workers in the area has initially been effective. Thereby, it contributes to improving working skills and increasing productivity for people".
According to Mr. Thuan, currently, the level of training cost support for students is still low, 1.4 million/student for non-agricultural classes; 1.1 million/student for agricultural classes.
However, the provincial functional departments need to soon issue a guiding document, issued according to Circular 152/2016/TT-BTC of the Ministry of Finance. Because according to this new circular, the support fund increases to 3 million/student.
“Although the budget is not large, it is enough to buy stationery, missing materials, pay teachers’ tuition, and support gas, accommodation, and travel expenses for students. This also helps maintain the number of students in vocational training classes, avoiding the situation of workers dropping out of class,” Mr. Nguyen Quang Thuan shared.
Recommendations for policy improvement
In reality, the majority of local workers in Ia Grai district cultivate agricultural land, grow rice, and harvest agricultural products.
During the harvest season, the Ia Grai District Vocational Education and Continuing Education Center sends teachers to each village, taking advantage of holidays or evenings to teach vocational skills to students.
Many students are busy with work and farming but are still encouraged to attend classes fully and enthusiastically.
Everyone has a common awareness, is trained professionally and thoughtfully, then they can take care of the coffee garden to increase productivity, grow clean vegetables to sell at high prices. From there, each individual and household will improve their income.
A representative of the Department of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs of Ia Grai district assessed that from 2022 to now, due to the late allocation of capital, the project implementation process must be rushed.
Some vocational training subjects of the National Target Program on Sustainable Poverty Reduction and Socio-Economic Development in Ethnic Minority and Mountainous Areas (poor, near-poor households, ethnic minority households, low-income workers) still overlap, causing difficulties in enrollment.
The concept of the recruitment target as “low-income workers” has not been issued specific guidance documents by the competent authority. Because it has not been determined how much monthly income is considered low, what criteria are used to classify and identify the target.
Although there are still many problems, the unit has actively coordinated with the People's Committees of communes to go down to the grassroots level to verify and ensure that policies reach people effectively and transparently.
