In the context of global economic integration and the continuous development of science and technology, vocational training plays a pivotal role in providing high-quality human resources to meet labor market demands. Beyond equipping learners with solid professional skills, vocational training programs also contribute to enhancing enterprise competitiveness and promoting sustainable economic development.

I. Role of vocational training programs

Vocational training programs serve not only as a foundation for workers to develop occupational skills aligned with practical needs but also as a key factor in improving labor productivity and quality.

For enterprises, participation in the development or organization of vocational training helps ensure a stable supply of skilled labor, reduce recruitment and retraining costs, and enhance corporate reputation as well as social responsibility.

II. Legal regulations on vocational training programs

1. What is a vocational training program?

A vocational training program is understood as a system of subjects, contents, and teaching and learning methods designed to achieve a specific occupational qualification level. Such a program sets out training objectives, expected learning outcomes in terms of learner competencies, content scope, workload of knowledge and vocational skills, methods of assessing learning outcomes, and the necessary conditions for implementing the training process.

2. What requirements must a vocational training program satisfy?

Pursuant to Clause 1, Article 34 of the 2014 Law on Vocational Education, a vocational training program must satisfy the following requirements:

  • Clearly reflecting training objectives for elementary, intermediate, and college levels; stipulate standards of knowledge and skills that learners must achieve upon graduation; define the scope and structure of contents, training methods and formats; and specify assessment methods for learning outcomes applicable to each module, credit, subject, specialty, occupation, and qualification level;
  • Ensuring scientific validity, modernity, systematic structure, practicality, and flexibility to adapt to changes in the labor market; reasonably allocate time between knowledge components and vocational skills; and ensure articulation between vocational education levels and other education and training levels within the national education system;
  • Being periodically reviewed, updated, and supplemented to align with technological advancements in production, business, and services.

Accordingly, vocational training programs must fully comply with the above statutory requirements.

3. How may vocational education institutions organize training at vocational qualification levels?

Pursuant to Clause 2, Article 23 of the 2014 Law on Vocational Education regarding the duties and powers of public and non-public vocational education institutions, such institutions are permitted to organize training at vocational qualification levels as follows:

  • Vocational education centers may provide elementary-level training, general vocational education, and career orientation counseling for students in accordance with general education programs;
  • Intermediate vocational schools may provide intermediate-level and elementary-level training;
  • Colleges may provide college-level, intermediate-level, and elementary-level training.

Accordingly, vocational education institutions are authorized to organize training at the qualification levels prescribed above.

III. Questions regarding vocational training programs

1. Responsibilities of employers for training, retraining, and upgrading vocational skills

Pursuant to Article 60 of the Labor Code 2019, employers have the following responsibilities:

  • Employers shall develop annual plans and allocate funding for training, retraining, upgrading professional qualifications and vocational skills, and developing vocational skills for employees working for them; and provide training for employees prior to assigning them to new occupations;
  • On an annual basis, employers shall report training and retraining results to the specialized labor authority under the provincial-level People’s Committee.

Accordingly, employers bear statutory responsibility for training, retraining, and upgrading vocational skills for employees in accordance with the law.

2. Who may participate in vocational training programs?

The scope of participants in vocational training programs is broad. Pursuant to Article 59 of the Law on Vocational Education 2014: Learners are persons studying vocational education programs at vocational education institutions, including students enrolled in college-level training programs; students enrolled in intermediate-level and elementary-level training programs; and trainees participating in continuing training programs specified at Points a, b, c, and d, Clause 1, Article 40 of this Law.

Clause 4, Article 61 of the Labor Code 2019 provides: Apprentices and trainees must be at least 14 years of age and must meet health requirements suitable for the occupation being trained. In principle, persons aged 14 or older who meet the relevant health requirements may participate in vocational training programs.

In addition, the State encourages vocational training for persons with disabilities pursuant to Article 27 of the Law on Vocational Education 2014.

3. Are enterprises permitted to independently organize vocational training programs?

Pursuant to Article 60 of the Labor Code 2019, employers are responsible for: Developing annual plans and allocating funding for training, retraining, upgrading professional qualifications and vocational skills, and developing vocational skills for employees working for them; and providing training for employees prior to assigning them to new occupations.

Current law does not prohibit enterprises from independently organizing vocational training, retraining, or skill enhancement programs for their employees. However, if an enterprise wishes to award vocational education diplomas or certificates with legal validity (such as elementary certificates, intermediate diplomas, or college diplomas) upon completion of a training course, such enterprise must register its vocational education activities and fully satisfy the conditions prescribed under the Law on Vocational Education 2014. 

IV. Legal advisory services on vocational training programs

The above is NPLaw’s article on current regulations governing vocational training programs. With a team of experienced lawyers and legal consultants, NPLaw provides reputable and professional legal services, ensuring the best protection of clients’ lawful rights and interests. Should you require legal assistance, please contact NPLaw for consultation and support.