Many sectors may face labour shortage

Hanoi (VNA) – Many industries in Vietnam, especially those relating to engineering, information technology, health care, textiles and footwear, are forecast to have a great demand for employees in the coming years.

In the Vietnam Industry Development Strategy to 2025 with a vision to 2035, the Government has decided to give priority to developing three industries, including the processing and manufacturing industry, electronics and telecommunications, and new and renewable energy.

The strategy will target key sectors, including electricity, mineral exploitation and processing, construction material production, agro-forestry-aquaculture processing, food, beverage, chemicals, garment and textiles, footwear, electronics, IT, mechanics, metallurgy and petroleum.

The situation shows that the labour force is likely to have more opportunities to seek jobs.

In the total demand for professionalised human resources, the engineering and technology sectors account for the highest proportion with 35 percent; followed by the group of economics, finance, banking, legal and administrative works with 33 percent; the natural science industry, 7 percent; and others, 3-5 percent.

According to the International Labour Organisation, the number of jobs in Vietnam is likely to increase by 14.5 percent by 2025, thanks to the country’s participation in the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC).

Vietnam is predicted to receive a strong increase of foreign direct investment (FDI) flow, especially in manufacturing and IT sectors and food production and processing industries, when the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement is officially signed.

Meanwhile, the sectors such as textiles, footwear, handicrafts, electronics, wood and furniture, and aquatic product processing are expected to expand, which will be creating more jobs.

According to t he Centre for Forecasting Manpower Needs and Labour Market Information (FALMI) in Ho Chi Minh City, some new sectors will be formed in the future on the basis of existing industries, as a result of the process of industrialisation, modernisation and international integration.

Preliminary statistics show that the IT industry is one of the sectors that have a great demand for skilled employees. However, there exists a paradox that many businesses are in great need of high-quality employees, whereas a large number of labourers specialising in this sector are unemployed.

Many recruiters said that Vietnamese employees are facing great challenges in professional competence, foreign language skills and working habit, which will hinder them from competing with foreign labourers, especially as Vietnam joined TPP and AEC.-VNA