BNEWS – In order to meet the human resource demand of the logistics industry, in terms of scale and quality, it is necessary to promote linkages, cooperation in training and take advantage of the support from developed countries.
In the context of globalisation and the Fourth Industrial Revolution, the requirements for the quality, expertise and skills of logistics human resources especially in-depth industry knowledge, foreign language skills, information technology application, communication, marketing, negotiation, and execution skills, need to be enhanced. This will be an urgent key factor to help Vietnam’s logistics enterprises quickly catch up with other countries; enhance their competitiveness, expand their domestic, regional, and international markets.
Mr. Tran Thanh Hai, Deputy Director of Import and Export Department (Ministry of Industry and Trade), Honorary President of Viet Nam Association for Logistics Manpower Development (VALOMA). Image by: Uyen Huong/ BNEWS/TTXVN.
That was the statement of Mr. Tran Thanh Hai – Deputy Director of the Import and Export Department (Ministry of Industry and Trade), Honorary President of the Viet Nam Association for Logistics Manpower Development (VALOMA) at the international conference “Strategic Human Resource Development for Vietnam’s Logistics Industry – Adaptability in An Ever – Changing Environment”.
The conference was held under the Australia-Vietnam Human Resources Development Program (Aus4Skills), with support from the Australian Government through the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, in collaboration with the Vietnam Logistics Business Association (VLA) and Vietnam Logistics Research and Development Institute (VLI).
According to Mr. Tran Thanh Hai, the Vietnamese Government has strong interest in logistics human development. Therefore, in Decision No. 200/QD-TTg dated February 14, 2017, the Prime Minister promulgated an Action Plan for the enhancement of competitiveness and the development of logistics services in Vietnam until 2025. It was supplemented by Decision No. 221/QD-TTg dated 22/02/2021 with separate section on training and improving the quality of logistics human resources.
Additionally, the Minister of Home Affairs also issued Decision No. 568/QD-BNV dated April 30, 2021, allowing the establishment of the Vietnam Association for Logistics Manpower Development (VALOMA). This was a necessary step in implementing the tasks mentioned in the Action Plan for improving competitiveness and developing logistics services in Vietnam until 2025. The establishment of VALOMA will serve as a ground for the enhancement of logistics human resource training quality, and to provide a skilled logistics workforce.
However, Mr. Hai stated that, to meet the human resources demand, in terms of both quantity and quality, it was necessary to promote training cooperation between Vietnam and other countries. He also encouraged taking the advantage of support provided by developed countries with advanced logistics training experience, to build capacity of Vietnamese government management staff and lecturers.
Mr. Hai further suggested high-quality training programs for students and trainees, and for leadership and senior management staff of enterprises. In addition, it is necessary to improve the quality of the existing training programs, ensuring their in-depth, scientific-based and systematic approach, as well as connectivity between training levels. He emphasised the importance of developing necessary skills to access and use new technologies, improving foreign language skills and the ability to apply international trade laws and practices. He also suggested strengthening of linkages between training institutions and employers, between higher education institutions, vocational schools and short-term training providers.
Mr. Hai suggested that VLA and VALOMA promote their roles as “extended arms” of the business community, working closely with state management agencies and training institutions to gain accurate evaluation and identification of the status of Vietnam’s logistics workforce, as well as the industry demand for logistics human resources.
The Import and Export Department will study and advise the Ministry’s leaders, and report to the Government on policies and measures to develop the national logistics industry in the coming period.
Conference participants. Image: Uyen Huong/ BNEWS/TTXVN
According to Mr. Le Duy Hiep, President of VLA, the COVID-19 pandemic has directly impacted lives and economies around the world, including Vietnam, and disrupted the global supply chain, including logistics activities. On the other hand, it also created opportunities and accelerated digital transformation and new modes of operation of logistics services.
In this context, it is important to secure logistics human resources to to meet the industry’s demand. Moreover, the industry’s innovations to adapt, or the changes made by education and training institutions to their training strategies also give students the flexibility to adapt to the new requirements of the labour market.
Ms. Ho Thi Thu Hoa, Director of Vietnam Logistics Research and Development Institute (VLI – VLA) – The International University (Vietnam National University HCMC), said that a training institution in general should pay attention to training and improving the quality of lecturers, especially those engaged in logistics industry, through short-term training programs. According to her, it is also necessary to promote linkages between government, industry and education organisations, as well as to focus on training in adapting to fluctuations and risks.
At the conference, Mr. Michael Sadlon, Program Director of Aus4Skills, commented that the conference has provided orientations to human resources development for the logistics industry to adapt to changes and risks. At the same time, raising awareness of businesses about the urgency of developing a human resource strategy, thereby aiming towards sustainable development.
At the conference, a cooperation agreement was signed between the VLI and AGKN on a knowledge network for research, consultancy and training with a focus on transport and logistics between Asia and Germany.
Source: Vietnam News Agency
