SCG Provides Career Opportunities, Creating a Stable Future for Children with Disabilities

SCG proudly continues its collaboration with the Ba Ria - Vung Tau School for Children with Disabilities through the ‘My Career Dream’ (Em và ước mơ nghề nghiệp) initiative, in celebration of International Children's Day 2024. This program aims to nurture aspirations and inspire professional goals among disadvantaged students by providing career-oriented sessions and internship opportunities with local and social enterprises. This initiative is a testament to SCG's commitment to its ESG 4 Plus journey, which focuses on reducing inequality and advancing sustainable development.

On May 21st, SCG celebrated the International Children's Day 2024

According to data from the Association for the Support of Vietnamese Handicapped and Orphans, nearly 2 million children in Vietnam are living with disabilities as of December 31, 2023. This disadvantaged group faces numerous challenges, including daily discrimination. UNICEF's "Promoting Change for Every Child in Vietnam 2022-2026" report highlights that only about 2.3% of children with disabilities receive rehabilitation treatments, and just one in ten attends secondary school. This situation underscores the urgent need for enhanced community initiatives to meet the Sustainable Development Goals related to education and inequality.

When considering future careers, children with disabilities and their parents often feel uncertain, despite these children being fully capable of securing suitable jobs in various fields. Unfortunately, few parents recognize their child's early aptitude in specific areas, which could serve as a foundation for career guidance. As a result, the talents of disabled students often remain undiscovered due to a lack of comprehensive guidance from themselves, their families, and their schools.

SCG representative presented scholarships to students and provide support to the school.

With a strong commitment to sustainable development, SCG's ESG 4 Plus Strategy focuses on four main pillars: Set Net-Zero, Go green, Reduce inequality, and Embrace collaboration, all dedication to fairness and transparency in every operation. In recent years, SCG has implemented numerous practical initiatives to improve the quality of life and future opportunities for the younger generation, including children with disabilities.

Building on the success of the 2023 campaign, SCG is partnering with DRD Vietnam (Disability Research & Capacity Development) to launch the "My Career Dream" initiative this year. This program features a variety of activities designed to boost confidence, impart knowledge, and develop skills in children with disabilities. Highlights include a career orientation session and a drawing contest about their dreams on May 17, followed by an International Children's Day celebration and scholarship awards for outstanding students on May 21. The goal is to inspire confidence and provide valuable career guidance to both children with disabilities and their parents. Additionally, SCG is actively collaborating with social and local enterprises dedicated to supporting people with disabilities, aiming to connect these children with meaningful employment opportunities.

Mr. Praween Wirotpan, General Director of SCG Vietnam stated at the event

Mr. Praween Wirotpan, General Director of SCG Vietnam, shared: “Following the sustainable development strategy, one of our main goals is to reduce inequality through activities focused on education and human development. After many years of working with  the Ba Ria - Vung Tau School for children with disabilities, we have witnessed the growth, resilience, and determination of these students to overcome adversity and achieve their dreams. These positive impacts have inspired and motivated SCG to continue contributing to the creation of a comprehensive development environment for these children.

This year, SCG is creating opportunities to help children with disabilities get closer to their dreams through inspiring and empowering activities, specifically career guidance with internship opportunities at local organizations. Notably, the career orientation program also involves parents, who will accompany their children throughout the journey of understanding and choosing a future career,” he added.

The "My Career Dream" program is designed to be inclusive, catering to both parents and students from primary to secondary school levels. At the primary level, children can express their dreams through drawing activities centered on the theme "Career Dreams."

Secondary school students will engage in more concrete and practical activities related to career opportunities. These activities include career orientation, self-discovery sessions, and introductions to resources for vocational training. Students will also be inspired by real-life stories of successful disabled individuals who have navigated their own career paths. Notably, ninth-grade students will have the opportunity to intern at local companies, gaining first hand experience.

Students is drawing their career dreams

Inspirational speakers and experts from DRD Vietnam and SCG aim to motivate both students and parents to pursue their educational and career goals, contributing to a sustainable future.

Additionally, SCG is organizing an International Children's Day celebration at the Bà Rịa - Vũng Tàu School for children with disabilities. This event will feature entertainment and recreational activities, scholarships awarded to 30 students, and recognition of their artistic works depicting their dreams.

Mr. Nguyen Van Cu, Director of DRD Vietnam, shared: “believes that enabling people with disabilities to contribute to the economic and social development of the country makes the opportunities they receive truly meaningful. Therefore, we are very pleased and honored to have the opportunity to collaborate with SCG to help disabled students proactively choose suitable careers and unlock their potential, thereby working towards reducing inequality.”

SCG is partnering with DRD Vietnam to organize a career counseling session "My Career Dream" for disabled students and their parents

Mr. Mai Huu Nghia, the Principal of the Ba Ria - Vung Tau School for children with disabilities expressed: “Over the past 15 years, it has been a long journey with SCG accompanying our school. From supporting the improvement of infrastructure, enhancing the quality of education to outdoor activities, SCG has contributed to the development of both physical and mental aspects of our students, and starting last year, focus on their future careers. The school and parents have become more confident in a future where every student can confidently pursue their dreams.”

The "My Career Dream" program and the International Children's Day celebration at Bà Rịa - Vũng Tàu School for children with disabilities affirm the efforts of SCG and its partners in realizing the commitment to reducing inequality through education and human development, continuing the journey of sustainable development, step by step achieving the goals of the ESG 4 Plus strategy.

By Van Luong, Vietnam Business Forum