Leveraging skills for a better future in the textile and garment industry

HANOI (ILO News) - In recent years, Viet Nam's textile and garment industries, a cornerstone of the country's economy, are embracing opportunities to transform and upgrade, driving a growing need for skills, especially those related to digital and green transitions. To prepare the next generation of workers for better transition into the labour market, the ILO, in collaboration with Hanoi Industrial Textile Garment University (HTU), organized a seminar for nearly 300 university students and lecturers.

HTU students and lecturers joined in the seminar to learn more preparing skills for the future of their industry: textile and garment

At the opening of the seminar, Fleur Gribnau, First Secretary of Economic Affairs for the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Viet Nam, emphasized the sector's crucial role: "Viet Nam is a key supplier of garment products to the EU, including the Netherlands. Promoting sustainable growth in the textile and garment industry requires coordinated efforts, including contributions from students - the future generation of workers in the sector."

The first session presented key findings from the skills needs assessment report on the textile and garment industry. It highlighted the industry's characteristics, strengths, opportunities, challenges, and emerging trends affecting skills demand. The report emphasized the skills gaps necessary for transformation, particularly in advanced manufacturing, supply chain management, digital technologies, and green transitions. Jointly developed by the ILO and the Viet Nam Textile and Garment Association (VITAS) with input from tripartite partners, the report provides a solid foundation for strategic skills recommendations to drive the sector forward in global markets and ensure sustainable development.

The seminar also featured a panel discussion, enabling students to engage directly with ILO specialists, lecturers, and industry representatives. Nguyen Viet Khanh, Deputy Technical Director of PPJ Group - a textile and garment-focused group, shared: "Digital transformation helps businesses stay resilient, and competitive. Businesses prioritize not only technical skills and professional knowledge but also soft skills to align with company goals".

This interactive session allowed the students to get a picture of employment trends and the skills required in the sector, particularly in the context of digital and green transitions. Additionally, students learned how to prepare for future job opportunities to secure productive and decent work. This preparation includes acquiring appropriate technical skills, core employability skills, digital and green skills, and developing a comprehensive career development roadmap.

"It is important to equip youth with the skills needed to thrive in the digital and green economy. By doing so, we can improve job prospects, enhance productivity, boost competitiveness, and create a sustainable future for the textile and garment industry," said Felix Weidenkaff, ILO Viet Nam Employment and Labour Market Policy Specialist.

As Viet Nam continues to be a key player in the global market, with significant potential for growth, the ILO, leveraging its technical expertise, aims to work alongside Viet Nam partners to make a contribution to this vital development in Viet Nam.

Fleur Gribnau, First Secretary of Economic Affairs for the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Viet Nam emphasized the sector's crucial roles in her opening speech The ILO and guest speakers provided valuable insights to help student better prepare for the transition to labour market. Felix Weidenkaff, ILO Viet Nam Employment and Labour Market Policy Specialist spoke to the students about the importance of honing skills in the digital and green economy.

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