The launch event was joined by Mr. Le Tan Dung, Deputy Minister of Labors – Invalids and Social Affairs, Ms. Nguyen Thi Viet Huong, Deputy Director General of the General Directorate of Vocational Training, Mr. Nguyen Minh Triet, Secretary of the Central Committee cum President of the Vietnamese Student Association, the Central Committee of Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union, Ms. Vu Thu Ha, Director of the Hanoi Department of Home Affairs and Mr. Hoang Thanh Thai, Deputy Director of the Hanoi Department of Labors – Invalids and Social Affairs.

The event is also attended by representatives of the donor SCF, PIV, and HNIVC’s partners (vocational training institutions, businesses, non-governmental and non-profit organizations operating in Vietnam), teachers, and students.

The “Ready for Work - Covid-19 recovery and digital economy” project, sponsored by SCF addressed youth economic exclusion and unemployment caused and exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The project is co-implemented by PIV and HNIVC focusing on three main objectives: Disadvantaged young people equipped with market-relevant, new and in-demand skills for, during, and beyond COVID-19 and the digital economy; Private sector and government institutions engage in offering relevant support to young jobseekers; Families, Technical, Vocational Education and Training (TVET) providers and employers support positive norms and practices supporting the inclusion of disadvantaged young people.

"Despite the COVID-19 pandemic impacts over the last two years, Hanoi Industrial Vocational College has maintained its position as a key unit in vocational training and human resource supply, while also providing capacity building to candidates competing in vocational skill competitions at the city, national, ASEAN, and global levels. Following the success of the project “Bridges to the Future” funded by Google.org through PIV, HNIVC is honored to receive funding from Standard Chartered Foundation and PIV to implement the project "Ready for Work - Covid-19 recovery and digital economy” and expand and increase the number of beneficiaries. The Standard Chartered Foundation-funded project aims to support vocational skills training for disadvantaged youth, particularly women, while also equipping them with soft skills and providing job opportunities that meet the needs of the digital economy. We are committed to implementing and completing the project objectives successfully.", said Ms. Pham Thi Huong, HNIVC Principal.

"HNIVC has followed the government's instructions in the prevention of the Covid-19 pandemic, while actively carrying out its education programs. HNIVC has been approved to implement the project Bridges to the Future in the period 2020 – 2022 with a budget of over VND 7.3 billion for market-oriented short-term vocational training and soft skills to reduce youth unemployment in Vietnam after the COVID-19 pandemic and the economic crisis. The project has been very successful, with over 4,800 young people (nearly 40% female) being trained and supported in vocational skills, soft skills, gender equality knowledge, and giving referrals to job opportunities tailored to needs in the post-COVID era, thanks to the project's support and HNIVC's determination. This assistance has resulted in some young people receiving gold and silver medals at the most recent 2022 National Vocational Skills Competition. The project has also assisted the school with facilities, developing and editing programs and textbooks, training teachers on online teaching and gender equality, fostering business connections, and holding recruitment events to create job opportunities for students.”, said Mr. Le Tan Dung, Deputy Minister of Labors – Invalids and Social Affairs.

“With these achievements, I am very pleased to see the parties collaborate to implement the project Ready for Work - Covid-19 Recovery and Digital Economy in 2022 - 2023 under Standard Chartered Foundation, with the goal of continuing to support disadvantaged youth, particularly women, in order to equip them with vocational and soft skills, and provide job opportunities that match the needs during and after the COVID-19 pandemic and the digital economy.”, added Mr. Dung.