In a significant move to bolster human resource development, the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs (MOLISA) of Vietnam, together with the Lao Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare and the Lao Ministry of Education and Sports, have inked a “Cooperation Agreement in the field of human resource development”. This agreement is a commitment to collaborate in enhancing vocational skills, fostering vocational training linkages, and strengthening the capacity of vocational educators and labor, social welfare, and vocational education officials.

On November 29, in Quang Ninh, a special Ministerial Conference on labor, social welfare, and human resource development between Vietnam and Laos was co-chaired by the Vietnamese Minister of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs Dao Ngoc Dung and the Lao Minister of Labor and Social Welfare Baykham Khattiya.

Minister Dao Ngoc Dung affirmed that since 1963, following the general directives of the leadership of both the Parties and States, cooperation between the two ministries has been prioritized and continuously developed in depth and breadth.

Vietnam and Laos biennially convene a Ministerial Conference to discuss outcomes and cooperative directions on common concerns, aiming to enhance the effectiveness of state management in the labor and social sectors of both countries.

Additionally, the exchange of study delegations, research activities, and capacity-building initiatives in management and skills have been promoted through scholarships for short, medium, and long-term training, official training, and participation in ASEAN skills competitions, as well as training at vocational institutions under MoLISA.

Vietnam has also provided practical material support to Laos and the two ministries in the labor and employment sector, such as the construction and operation of the 686 Ban Can Rehabilitation Center for war veterans and people with disabilities in Vientiane since 2015, and support for vocational training equipment in vocational education.

Within the framework of the Conference, MoLISA of Vietnam and the Lao Ministry of Labor – Social Welfare, and the Lao Ministry of Education and Sports signed the cooperation agreement in human resource development.

The purpose of this agreement is to commit to cooperation in human resource development through vocational skills enhancement, promotion of vocational training linkages, and capacity building for vocational teachers and officials in the fields of labor, social welfare, and vocational education.

The cooperation areas include sharing experiences in developing and perfecting laws and policies on human resource development; long-term training cooperation in vocational skills development; training Lao experts and candidates for ASEAN skills competitions.

The parties will also enhance cooperation in developing national vocational skills standards; collaborate on policy development, and establish systems for evaluating the outcomes of vocational skills development and related activities. This aims to mutually recognize vocational skills for workers of both countries and reference the ASEAN framework; and intensify management and cooperation in the transfer of skilled labor between the two countries.

Training and capacity building for teachers in vocational skills development centers, vocational education institutions, and skill enhancement for labor and social welfare officials of both countries are also part of the cooperation.

The agreement encourages and facilitates cooperation and experience exchange between vocational skills development centers and vocational training institutions at central and local levels in areas of mutual interest.

Cooperation with Vietnamese enterprises investing in Laos and foreign joint ventures based in Laos and Vietnam in developing vocational skills linked to the Lao labor market is also highlighted. Support for Vietnamese enterprises to implement vocational training projects in Laos is included.

Support for equipment serving the practical development of skills and vocational training, designing and building programs on skills development and vocational training, and transferring training programs to vocational skills development centers and vocational education institutions are covered by the agreement. Cooperation in teaching the Lao language to Vietnamese vocational education officials, teachers, and students, and teaching Vietnamese to Lao vocational education officials, teachers, and students, as well as labor and social welfare officials, is also outlined.

The parties will explore the implementation of related projects of mutual interest and cooperate in human resource development within regional and international frameworks.

Vietnam and Laos will continue to maintain, intensify, and diversify cooperation forms and mechanisms at all levels, including the promotion of online formats. These include, but are not limited to, technical cooperation, expert exchanges, policy dialogues, information exchanges, technology transfers in skills development and vocational training, conferences, seminars, joint research/programs/projects, scholarships in skills development and vocational education, provision of equipment for skills development and vocational training, training linkages, participation in joint initiatives, and mutual support in regional and international forums.