More than 1.6 million rural labourers received vocational trainingbetween 2010 and 2013 under a project on rural vocational training until2020, it was reported at a July 4 meeting of the Central SteeringCommittee for implementing the project.

However,the figure was equal to only 85 percent of the set target, the reportsaid, adding that nearly 1.2 million of the trained labourers were ableto get new jobs or earned higher incomes from their existing ones.

Addressing the meeting, the committee’s head Deputy Prime Minister VuDuc Dam said relevant ministries, agencies and localities should ensurethat agricultural skills offered in training curricula in differentregions must be in line with directions set by the programme on newrural areas building and plans for agricultural development andrestructuring in the corresponding localities. Similarly, the trainingof non-agricultural jobs should be based on local development plans forindustry, services and handicrafts, he said.

TheDeputy PM stressed that vocational courses should be organized onlyafter the prospects for jobs and incomes for trainees are confirmed.

He requested the Ministry of Labour, Invalids andSocial Affairs to work with relevant ministries and sectors to finalise adraft decision of the Prime Minister on vocational training in general,adding that priority should be given to beneficiaries of Statepreferential policies, those living near or under the poverty line,ethnic minorities, people with disabilities, fishermen and those havingtheir farm land revoked for other use.

Participantsat the meeting agreed that the project’s targets in training and jobplacement have not been fulfilled and called for enterprises to becomeinvolved in creating jobs for rural workers.-VNA