Project Launch: "Transformational Skilling for a Smarter Future in Vietnam"

The project sponsored by Lenovo aims to support disadvantaged youth, particularly young women, in better preparing for entry into the workforce, while also helping to bridge the gender gap in the Information Technology sector.
Hanoi, May 28, 2024 – The “Transformational Skilling for a Smarter Future in Vietnam” project, sponsored by Lenovo Group under the global TransforME Grant round program, has been officially launched. The project is implemented by Plan International in Vietnam and the Institute for Research and Support for Vocational Education (REACH). The event saw the participation of representatives from Lenovo Group in Vietnam, the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Internal Political Security Department - Ministry of Public Security, the Southeast Asia Research Association of Vietnam (SEARAV), Plan International Vietnam, the REACH Institute, along with over 70 delegates from partner organizations, businesses, recruitment collaboration units, and young people representing the target group being supported.
According to a 2022 report by TopDev, a leading recruitment channel and ecosystem in the Mobile & IT sector in Vietnam, the country will face a shortage of approximately 150,000 – 195,000 IT personnel for the period of 2022-2024. Currently, only 35% of IT graduates, equivalent to about 57,000 IT graduates per year, have the skills and qualifications that meet the needs of IT companies.
Women in the IT sector in Vietnam account for only 7.85%, while the rate of women participating in current IT courses in training institutions ranges from 10.4 to 20%. In Vietnam, especially in rural, remote, and isolated areas, IT is viewed as a "male domain" or considered a "high-level" field.
With sponsorship from Lenovo Group under the TransforME Grant round, the "Transformational Skilling for a Smarter Future in Vietnam" project, implemented by Plan International in coordination with the REACH Institute, aims to help disadvantaged youth, especially young women, better prepare for entering the IT workforce, thereby bridging the gender gap in the information technology field and helping young women achieve good and stable incomes, which indirectly positively impacts their life equality.
During its implementation, the project will support 200 young people aged 18-25 (40% of whom are female) in participating in 3-6 month vocational training courses in the digital field, equipping them with necessary soft skills and providing job placement support after graduation. The project will focus on short-term courses in 2D graphic design, 3D graphic design, and Digital Marketing. Additionally, the project will support 200 young people from other short-term courses at REACH Institute with life skills and gender equality knowledge to boost their confidence when entering the labour market after graduation. (The project was accepted for sponsorship by Lenovo in March 2023, after which Plan and REACH prepared the necessary procedures for approval according to regulations, and training activities will commence from April 2024 to April 2025).
Mr Nguyễn Văn Giáp, Country Director of Lenovo Group Vietnam, shared: “Lenovo has invested over $2 million in development projects worldwide to equip the workforce with essential skills, thereby helping to create positive changes in their careers and lives and spreading to the community around them. This project is one of Lenovo's commitments to contribute to the common goal of changing the lives of 1 million people by 2025. Investing in soft skills and vocational skills is now a top priority for many tech companies in fields such as automation, artificial intelligence, web development, and data analytics – areas currently in high demand for manpower amidst the global economy’s digital transformation. By supporting the 'Transformational Skilling for a Smarter Future in Vietnam' project, we believe we can create a skilled workforce to meet the urgent needs of the current labour market."
Ms. Lê Quỳnh Lan, Program Impact and Partner Manager of Plan International Vietnam, emphasized: “For many years, we have partnered with stakeholders to successfully implement market-oriented vocational training projects, supporting disadvantaged youth, especially young women, with opportunities for vocational training, equipping them with necessary skills, job placement, and stable incomes after graduation. With support from Lenovo through Plan Hong Kong, the 'Transformational Skilling for a Smarter Future in Vietnam' project will further strengthen market-oriented vocational training models. We expect the successful young women participating in the project to become inspirational figures, helping to eliminate prejudices about women’s capabilities in technology vocational training, a field still considered 'male-dominated.' The project will also contribute to the commitment to support 2 million girls to learn, lead, decide, and thrive under Plan International Vietnam’s 2020-2025 five-year strategy."
Mr. Đoàn Tuấn Dũng, Deputy Director of REACH Institute, shared: “REACH deeply appreciates Lenovo and Plan International's trust and efforts in developing the 'Transformational Skilling for a Smarter Future in Vietnam' project. Over more than 15 years of formation and development, REACH has supported careers and employment for over 21,000 youth in various professions. Among them, more than 3,287 young women have been trained in IT. Many of them have worked in this field and made career advancements. For the 'Transformational Skilling for a Smarter Future in Vietnam' project, REACH expects to continue taking solid steps in training, enhancing vocational skills, and employment in the digital skills field for youth.”