Vietnam - Germany: Cooperation in Human Resource Training and Development for Businesses

 

The project, funded by the Government of Germany in the form of official development assistance (ODA), has been carried out for 10 years and reaped a lot of successes in many countries. At present, 14 countries have participated in this programme. Vietnam joined since March 2008 and the first and second phases ended in December 2013.

 

Each training course begins with a two-week preparatory programme in Vietnam to equip basic knowledge for trainees before they fly to Germany for a one-month official training. They will study theories of management capacity, learn about cultural customs and practices of Europe in general and of Germany in particular, specially their ways of working and doing business. Trainees will spend a half of time practising and visiting German companies. They will directly transact with partners of each student. In addition, trainees will attend some extra activities in Germany like seminars and exhibitions during their time there.

 

So far, the project has carried out 12 courses for nearly 250 trainees, two courses a year on average. From the second phase, apart from two ordinary courses for Vietnam (20-25 trainees a course), the programme has expanded international courses which are attended by trainees from 4-6 countries, each of which has 1-7 trainees. International training courses focus on healthcare, mining, energy conservation, and other topics.

 

 

In addition to main training courses, the two sides also held some extra activities such as workshops to introduce the programme and follow-ups after each training course for trainees and specialists to meet each other to discuss and share experience in administration and business. Moreover, the MPI and VCCI also participated in international conferences to exchange experiences with other partners engaged in the project.

 

Training courses have produced practical results as they helped trainees with knowledge of German culture and people, knowledge of advanced corporate management for increased working efficiency, business administration experience from German companies, business relations with the German market, meetings with companies and partners in Germany, and contracts with German partners.

 

The training programme also helped trainees approach new management rules, enhance negotiation skills and idea expression skills, improve English proficiency, take part in practical activities in Germany to acquire more managerial experience, meet German partners to negotiate and sign contracts and business cooperation and establish commercial relationships, understand about international culture, German culture and people, access new information technology and training methods, learn from other trainees through group discussions and information exchange.

 

However, the programme also faced some obstacles as many trainees did not have good English skills or felt unfamiliar and passive in foreign relations. In addition, the number of trainees was limited because only two courses were opened each year.

 

 

Results of the two phases showed that the programme had brought many benefits to both Vietnam and Germany, not only helping businesses improve training and management capabilities but also facilitate the development of bilateral economic and commercial relations.

 

To further support enterprises to enhance management capabilities, the Government of Vietnam, BMWi, GIZ and VCCI expected the deployment of the third phase of the programme. In the report on results of training cooperation programme with Germany that VCCI sent to MPI, VCCI asked the ministry to further support the implementation of the third phase of the programme. Besides, BMWi sent the draft Joint Statement on the Third Phase to MPI, expected to be carried from 2014 to 2016.

 

According to the Joint Statement for the 2014-2016 period, Germany is committed to providing ODA for executive training programme until the end of 2016. Germany also planned to add some contents to the programme.

 

In the report on the Joint Statement on business training cooperation programme in the 2014-2016 phase between MPI and BMWi sent by MPI to the Prime Minister of Vietnam for approval, MPI said the programme has brought practical results for businesses in Vietnam. This is expected to bring new cooperation opportunities for both sides.