Training human resources for the startup ecosystem

A young generation needs to grasp science and technology

In recent years, Vietnam's startup ecosystem has been assessed as having achieved many successes, with development in many fields. Startup fields in Vietnam that are attracting a lot of capital from investors are often associated with science and technology, such as: E-commerce, financial technology, food technology, business solutions and information technology services. With unicorns like MoMo and Sky Mavis, Vietnam is emerging as a startup powerhouse in Southeast Asia.

According to a report from the Ministry of Planning and Investment in 2024, Vietnam attracted more than 1 billion USD in investment in technology startups in 2023. The rapid growth of this startup ecosystem has a maturity level equivalent to Singapore and Malaysia.

Technology startups with high investment rates in Vietnam, but are facing many difficulties, need to constantly innovate techniques, to compete with the rapid changes in science and technology.

To grasp new research achievements in the world and apply advanced techniques such as AI (artificial intelligence) to startups, it is necessary to have a young, dynamic team that is proficient in information technology. And currently, Vietnam has a huge advantage in human resources from universities.

Despite its strength in young human resources, in reality, Vietnam has not been able to fully exploit this advantage to build a strong business community. If properly sponsored, the student start-up force can become the nucleus for the development of small and medium enterprises, contributing to increasing the number of businesses in Vietnam - something the economy is in dire need of.

Currently, the Party and the State have many policies to support the development of science and technology. Such as Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW dated December 22, 2024 of the Politburo on breakthroughs in science, technology, innovation and national digital transformation. Most recently, the Ministry of Education and Training held a press conference to announce the planning of the network of higher education and pedagogical institutions for the period 2021 - 2030, with a vision to 2050.

Young labor force needs knowledge of science and technology to keep up with the world's startup trends. (Illustration photo - Source: Cepew)

Mr. Nguyen Anh Dung, Deputy Director of the Department of Higher Education (Ministry of Education and Training) said that this planning will focus on improving the quality of training, scientific research and innovation. The criteria for determining key universities include: Training quality, reputation in scientific research, the rate of students having jobs after graduation and the level of contribution to socio-economic development.

In recent years, universities have been accelerating the training of human resources in STEM (science and technology) fields. The Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee has a plan to implement the AI ​​Research and Application Development Program for the period 2020 - 2030. In particular, Ho Chi Minh City assigned Ho Chi Minh City National University to preside over the research and propose plans, and the Department of Information and Communications to coordinate the development and implementation of investment projects. One of the contents of this plan is to implement the AI ​​human resource training project. Ho Chi Minh City National University has also drafted a framework for the science and technology program for AI research and application until 2030. The University of Science, the University of Natural Sciences and the University of Information Technology train AI in an in-depth direction. Meanwhile, a number of other universities have had interdisciplinary and applied AI training programs.

However, science and technology training does not stop at the campus of technical schools, purely natural sciences. In fact, the application of science and technology is being used by many other professions in the social and artistic sectors. In the "Career Inspiration Day: Promoting Women's Participation in STEM and Digital Transformation", Mr. Nguyen Tien Dong, Associate Professor, PhD, Principal of Ly Thai To College, former Vice President of the Institute of Mechanics, Hanoi University of Science and Technology, stated that science and technology training must be continuous from high school to university and postgraduate levels (for in-depth researchers, working people studying to improve their qualifications).

Some experts also believe that with the strong development of science and technology, high schools and universities should have basic classes on STEM, AI and have an output standard framework for students.

Create “depth” in your career

In addition to grasping science and technology, students need to eliminate the idea of ​​“studying one thing, doing another job”. In fact, the 2018 Education Program also aims to develop the qualities and abilities of students in order to improve their future labor qualifications.

Every year, businesses have to spend tens of billions of dong to retrain employees to meet work demands. In this situation, to have a high-quality workforce, with the right job, the right profession, and the right expertise learned in school. Not only at universities, but also at lower levels, businesses and universities have had to work with high schools to provide career guidance for students.

Enterprises and startups should have training links and career support for students to create high-quality human resources. (Illustration photo - Source: PV)

According to a previous study by the Ministry of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs, each year 400,000 bachelors graduate, but up to 60% of students work in a different field after graduation. This has become a headache for employers, especially startups. When they have to compete with a huge market of experienced investors and foreign companies with highly skilled workers.

Ms. Phan Thi Hong Dung - President of the Borderless Education Network shared that in every business and organization, they want their employees to have professional "depth". The difference between an employee's salary is the value they create for the company. Studying the right major and doing the right job will help students find work in the future more easily. The four to five years of study in secondary schools, colleges and universities helps students practice their career thinking and equip them with in-depth knowledge, not by chance.

In order for students to discover their passion and strengths, they need to have the opportunity to experience their careers early. Because currently, their knowledge mainly comes from books and theories. After graduating from high school, most students do not know their abilities and strengths, and their final destination is only university. This leads to students registering dozens of university admission wishes. After graduating, many graduates work in the wrong field, wasting four or five years of university because they do not love their profession or feel they are not capable. Therefore, giving students early career experience will help them have a career orientation in the future, knowing whether or not they are suitable for certain jobs.

In particular, improving post-graduate skills and expertise is very important. According to a survey by Navigos Group a few years ago on human resources of Vietnamese startups, the recruitment demand for startups is increasing, 53% have recruitment needs in the first 3 months of establishment, 17% have recruitment needs after the next 3-6 months. Notably, the demand for recruiting experienced and highly specialized personnel is increasing again. According to Navigos, salaries for professional personnel are often very high, but attracting and using them is a difficult problem for startups.

To become a high-quality human resource, in addition to work experience, foreign language background, and ability to apply science and technology, workers need to continuously improve their knowledge and skills.

In fact, science and technology in the world in general and in Vietnam in particular are developing rapidly every day. To keep up with the world's trends and not be eliminated by AI (artificial intelligence), workers need to continuously study and update new knowledge to maximize their professional abilities. In addition, in the extremely competitive startup ecosystem, workers need to be flexible in their careers, proactively learn new professions, and skills to be interdisciplinary, inter-professional, adaptive, creative, and avoid being passive in the face of world changes.

Huong Ngoc