The data was shared by experts at the National Scientific Conference "Improving the effectiveness of connection between enterprises and vocational and higher education institutions", organized by Ho Chi Minh City College of Economics on August 9.

The most needed workers in the trade and service industry

Dr. Do Thanh Van - Center for Human Resource Demand Forecasting and Labor Market Information in Ho Chi Minh City - said that Ho Chi Minh City currently has 290,337 operating enterprises and the average human resource demand of these enterprises is approximately 350,000 jobs/year.

Meanwhile, every year the number of graduates from universities and vocational training institutions who want to work in Ho Chi Minh City is about 301,782 people.

Universities and vocational education institutions are the main training and supply centers for human resource needs in Ho Chi Minh City, accounting for 85.7%.

Dr. Do Thanh Van commented that currently, the training sectors and occupations at intermediate, college and university levels at universities and colleges are very diverse, with 4 key sectors and 9 main priority areas for development in Ho Chi Minh City.

According to a report by the Center for Human Resource Demand Forecasting and Labor Market Information in Ho Chi Minh City, the average annual human resource demand requires 320,000 - 350,000 vacant jobs/year in the period 2026 - 2030.

Of which, the agriculture, forestry and fishery sector needs 960 - 1,050 jobs/year, accounting for 0.3%, the industry - construction sector needs 88,448 - 96,740 jobs/year, accounting for 27.64%, the trade - service sector needs 230,592 - 252,210 jobs/year, accounting for 72.06%.

According to the center, the demand for trained human resources is 278,400 - 304,500 jobs/year in the period from 2026 - 2030.

The demand for human resources through intermediate training accounts for 28%, primary training accounts for 21%, college training accounts for 16% and university training or higher accounts for 22%.

Many cooperations are still fragmented?

Presenting at the workshop, Ms. Le Thi Thuy Tien - Human Resources Director of Saigon King Land Real Estate Investment Joint Stock Company - acknowledged that many cooperation activities between schools and businesses take place separately, sporadically, and have temporary impacts...

For example, sometimes some universities and colleges invite experts from businesses, including their own, to share skills and experiences with students.

However, many times there is only one session, each session only about 2-3 hours. Many experts from businesses believe that this duration is too short and students do not receive the information as expected.

In addition, according to Ms. Thuy Tien, many programs and activities of schools are not included in the plan at the beginning of the school year.

Enterprises that partner with schools also do not receive plans to organize these projects from the beginning, so in many cases they are passive and cannot allocate resources or budgets for these projects.

Ms. Thuy Tien proposed an effective model through "career counselors". Experts from businesses will be mentors, accompanying one or a group of students for a certain period of time.

Mentors will support students in personal development from a business perspective, sharing knowledge and skills with them. The time spent with them can last for several months, which will be much more beneficial for students than just a few hours of meeting as it is now.

Dr. Nguyen Thanh Phuong - Head of Business Relations and Student Employment Department, Nguyen Tat Thanh University - said that in the relationship between businesses and schools, the school is the "need" party.

Therefore, according to Mr. Phuong, the school will need to be more flexible, create more conditions and give businesses more or less benefits when participating in cooperation with the school.

For example, his department is implementing business coffee programs. Business representatives are often invited to coffee sessions with department leaders to give feedback on school activities and discuss cooperation opportunities…

"However, considering the value system of the business is also very important. There will be some businesses that are not suitable for the school's value system and the two sides cannot cooperate together," said Mr. Phuong.