Forming a training and technology transfer ecosystem
Vietnam is preparing to implement many key railway projects such as the North-South high-speed railway, Lao Cai - Hanoi - Hai Phong, Hanoi - Dong Dang lines, and urban railway lines in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. This poses a very large demand for high-quality human resources.
According to the draft Plan for training, fostering and developing railway human resources for the period 2026-2030, the goal is to newly train at least 35,000 workers at all levels. Of which, about 14,000 people have university degrees (41.2%), 11,000 people have college degrees (32.3%) and 9,000 people have intermediate degrees (26.5%).
Training majors focus on core areas such as railway construction engineering, information - signal, electrical systems, locomotives - carriages and railway transport economy.
According to the draft, the largest human resource demand belongs to the field of construction engineering with about 16,300 people; followed by transport operation with about 6,000 people and railway construction engineering with about 4,700 people. In addition, about 5,000 specialized workers will be trained to serve the operation and maintenance of urban railway lines.
To meet human resource needs, universities and colleges, the core in the field of transportation, will play a central role in training, research and technology transfer. The "training ordering" mechanism between the State, training institutions and businesses will be strengthened to ensure that graduates immediately meet job requirements at project management boards and operating units. The draft also proposes to select at least 1,000 experts and engineers from research institutes and businesses to directly participate in the technology transfer process, from design, assembly to operation of modern information - signal systems, towards the goal of mastering railway technology. Funding will be mobilized from the state budget, international support sources and the participation of labor-using enterprises.
Businesses proactively prepare human resources
Implementing Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW of the Politburo, Member of the Party Central Committee, Minister of Construction Tran Hong Minh emphasized that training railway human resources is a particularly important task to meet development requirements to 2030 and the following stages. The Minister requested to prioritize in-depth training of existing cadres and engineers, especially in the fields of programming, software and train operation.
On the business side, Vietnam Railways Corporation (VNR) has developed a training plan until 2035, with a vision to 2045. VNR signed cooperation agreements with China, Japan and Korea to send staff to train, including 180 trainees in China and 300 personnel in Korea.
Chairman of VNR Member Council Dang Sy Manh said that with a team managing more than 3,200km of existing railways, the industry has a great advantage in receiving new technologies, helping to shorten time and save costs compared to training from the beginning.
According to Mr. Truong Trong Vuong - Principal of Railway College, conversion training for experienced people only takes about 2-3 years, instead of 6-8 years if newly trained, thereby promptly supplementing human resources when projects go into operation.
Not only focusing on human resource training, VNR also proposed that the Government issue a special mechanism on localization and require foreign contractors to transfer technology when participating in railway projects in Vietnam.
In the period 2026-2030, Vietnam aims to master the operation and maintenance of the information - signal system and localize 40-50% of equipment. By 2035, move towards mastering operating software and system design; then form a domestic railway industrial ecosystem, gradually providing technical services to the region.
Synchronous preparation of human resources, technology and policies will create a foundation for Vietnam to master modern railway projects.
