USAID workforce for an innovation and start-up ecosystem (WISE)

The Government of Vietnam’s ultimate goal is to grow from lower-middle-income status to upper-middle-income status by 2030. To maintain its exceptional growth trend, while avoiding the middle-income trap, Vietnam must address key challenges. These include a shortage of the highly skilled workers required to transform the country’s manufacturing from lower value, easier to assemble goods, to higher value, technology-intensive goods and services. The U.S. Agency for International Development’s (USAID) Workforce for an Innovation and Start-Up Ecosystem project partners with Vietnam’s Ministry of Planning and Investment to expand the country’s highly-skilled workforce.

IMPROVING BASIC DIGITAL LITERACY SKILLS

The project targets new entrants to the workforce who did not attend university nor study in a Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) field. The project is expanding Information, Communications and Technology (ICT) fundamentals training beyond key urban centers to help bridge gender and urban-rural digital divides. ICT training includes coding skills, website development, software testing, and cybersecurity fundamentals.

ALIGNING TRAINING WITH INDUSTRY NEEDS

The project works with training providers and their industry partners to make sure curricula meet labor market needs. For example, the project is supporting the National Innovation Center, within the Ministry of Planning and Investment, to launch a website that provides the latest information on digital training opportunities and industry data, including workforce needs, to assist in career planning. In addition, the project is helping private sector-led training programs to expand to more remote areas, and organizing match-making events between industry and Vietnamese training institutions.

DEVELOPING INNOVATIVE FINANCING SOLUTIONS 

The project helps financial institutions to develop innovative savings and financing products and services that make ICT skills training more affordable for a broader range of young learners. 

BUILDING PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS

The project supports the National Innovation Center to effectively partner with the private sector to promote ICT skills training of the workforce. 

IMPACT

The project expects to equip 1,000 learners with ICT skills, facilitate the provision of $400,000 in education finance, and leverage $600,000 in private sector resources. 

TARGETED LOCALITIES

The project works at the national level and focuses work in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Mekong Delta provinces.